Knifeman jailed after row over chips and gravy at Walsall takeaway

Jacob Bateman was furious when staff at the Balti restaurant near his Darlaston home refused to serve him the meal.

The 25-year-old, who was drunk after downing four cans of strong lager and half a bottle of vodka, behaved like a 'drunken lout,' Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

The restaurant was about to close when he arrived looking the worse for wear on June 1, explained Mr James Dunston, prosecuting.

The more abuse he shouted the more determined the staff were to send him on his way empty handed, it was said.

Bateman left but returned around ten minutes later clutching a seven inch knife - collected from his Brunel Walk home - in the waist band of his trousers.

He pulled out the blade and threatened to stab people working at the restaurant, warning 'f*** with me and I will give you this', the court heard.

Mr Ekwall Tiwana, defending, said Bateman had been stabbed and had his jaw broken after twice falling victim to violent attacks.

As a result, he had turned to drink which had sent him 'spiralling out of control,' continued the lawyer before adding: "He has been very stupid indeed but cannot remember what he said to the people at the restaurant. He had started drinking too much after being attacked twice."

Since then Bateman had changed following the birth of his daughter, said Mr Tiwana who explained: "He has given up drinking and is now a different man."

He urged Judge Barry Berlin to consider suspending any period of imprisonment so that the defendant could continue supporting his family.

But the judge retorted: "Carrying a knife without reasonable excuse is a crime being committed far too often by too many people. This crime must be confronted and stopped."

He told the defendant: "You should know that better than most, having been the victim of a stabbing yourself.

"You asked for gravy and chips when the restaurant was about to close. Your behaviour was typical of a drunken lout and the staff rightly told you that they would not serve you.

"You then returned with the knife and threatened to stab people, no doubt terrifying the staff. People who are drunk while carrying weapons are more inclined to use them."

Bateman, who had previous convictions for battery and criminal damage, admitted possession of a knife and harassment and was locked up for ten months.