A thug who brandished a knife in a high street pub on a night out has been jailed for more than two years.

Andrew Maloney, 55, was out for the evening in Lydd on April 28 last year when he became aggressive towards a man at The George Hotel on the High Street.

The punter, who was not known to Maloney, had intervened in a conversation between the offender and a third man.

Maloney then became agitated, and pulled out a knife.

Members of the public attempted to calm the situation and the weapon was moved to a place of safety.

Despite this, Maloney then climbed over the counter at the pub to retrieve it before fleeing.

An investigation led to the arrest of Maloney who was later charged in connection with the incident.

After pleading guilty to affray and making threats with an offensive weapon, Maloney, formerly of The Derings, Lydd, was given a two year, three month prison sentence at Canterbury Crown Court on Wednesday, June 19.

He was also given a ten year restraining order.

Det Insp Stephanie Devon said: “People in Kent have the right to feel safe when socialising and offenders such as Maloney need to know that violent and aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated.

“I hope the prison term that Maloney has received serves as a reminder that we take knife crime very seriously.

“We will always strive to bring criminals who would use knives to inflict harm, or fear of harm, to justice.”