A MAN who charged out of a block of flats with a kitchen knife after hearing his partner having a row, could face prison.

Billy Corns was caught on CCTV “running into the street with a knife” – said prosecutor Shafquat Reaz – putting him in breach of a suspended sentence.

However, the 33-year-old’s solicitor said he had been using the knife to prepare food and had no intention of using it to attack anyone – in fact, he didn’t realise he was carrying it.

Corns, from Worcester, was inside his girlfriend’s flat making dinner when he heard “shouting and screaming” from outside and ran to her aid, defence solicitor Mark Turnbull told Worcester magistrates last week.

He said the security camera footage, viewed by police officers after they were called to the incident on April 12, shows another man – his brother – taking the knife from the defendant.

“He fully accepts it is him that is running outside,” said Mr Turnbull.

“The knife goes outside when he runs out of the property from making food – he gets outside and [his brother] realises he’s got the knife [and takes it from him].”

Mr Turnbull said the row was taking place around the other side of the building, away from the cameras, which don’t show the moment Corns claims he was assaulted as he tried to defend his partner.

The court heard that Corns, of Barbourne Road, Worcester, has a previous conviction for carrying an offensive weapon.

He accepted a charge of possession of a sharp bladed article in a public place, in relation to the incident at St Nicholas House, Cowleigh Road, Malvern, when appearing before magistrates on Thursday.

Realising the court’s sentencing powers were insufficient, chair of the bench Wendy Coggan adjourned the case until June 21 at Worcester Crown.

Corns was given unconditional bail.