A blood-stained teenager found roaming the streets with a kitchen knife told police he was going to stab people, a court heard.

James Walker, 18, was seen by officers walking along King's Road, Brighton, in the early hours of August 17.

As officers approached the teenager, whose clothes were stained with blood, he threw a bread knife he was carrying over a wall.

Brighton magistrates yesterday heard he told police who questioned him he was going to stab people with the knife.

A month earlier, he was stopped by police in West Street after members of the public complained they had seen the teenager with a knife in the street.

As police officers approached him he threw a large kitchen knife into a doorway.

After this incident, he told police he was carrying the weapon to threaten a group of people he had earlier been fighting with.

Walker, of Second Avenue, Hove, admitted charges of having a bladed article, possessing an offensive weapon and two offences of failing to answer bail.

Brian Mackrell, defending, said Walker, who has no previous convictions, needed help.

He said: "He is a vulnerable young man despite the fact he carries these weapons around with him.

"On each occasion he had been involved in an assault on him, which left him aggrieved."

The case was adjourned until October 10 for sentence. Walker was released on bail on condition he reports daily to police.