A man who brandished a knife during a violent row outside a school has been jailed.

Simon Richardson, 31, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court to 21 months in prison after admitting affray.

The court heard that trouble flared outside Oakwood School, in Eastbourne, as children arrived for lessons one morning in July last year.

Richardson, a heroin addict, of Linden Close, Eastbourne, confronted two brothers, Terry and Danny Harris, sitting in a car outside the school in Magnolia Drive.

Warwick Tatford, prosecuting, said Richardson opened the car door and threatened: "I am going to kill you."

Mr Tatford said the brothers were waiting while Terry Harris's partner, Loretta Styles, dropped her two children off at the school. They remained in the car with her six-month-old baby.

He said there was a history of bad feeling because of an on-going dispute between Ms Styles and Richardson's partner Faye Hardman.

Richardson kicked and punched Terry Harris who told his attacker: "Go away, there are kids about."

Richardson started brandishing a knife with a five-inch blade.

He made repeated stabbing movements, up to 30 times, but did not cause any wounds.

The two brothers were chased around their car by Richardson, who snatched the keys from the ignition.

During the chase Danny Harris was punched twice in the head.

Richardson finally walked away. But violence broke out again moments later when Ms Styles and Ms Hardman came face-to-face and started fighting.

Richardson then returned waving a piece of wood.

The two brothers ran into the school. Mr Tatford said: "They were so frightened they left the baby in the car."

Police were called and Richardson arrested.

Judge Richard Brown described the incident as an horrendous offence. He said: "Producing and using a knife as a weapon in a public place is totally unacceptable. This court constantly sees the tragic consequences of the use of a knife and a message has to go out that if you carry a knife and get caught a prison sentence almost invariably awaits you."

The court heard Richardson had a list of previous convictions, including offences of dishonesty and assault.

Alissa Scott-Beckett, defending, said Richardson had taken £5 worth of heroin and accepted that the drug clouded his ability to think clearly.

She said he was aware both brothers were boxers and had taken the knife for self-defence.

She said: "At no point was he aware there was a baby in the car. He expresses extreme remorse."