A MAN handed police an array of weapons after threatening to throw himself off a bridge in Dudley town centre.

Christopher Whitehouse was on the King Street footbridge threatening to jump when police officers were called to the scene.

The 23-year-old, who at the time felt a "misguided need for self-defence" then gave the officers a knuckleduster, kitchen knife and a Kubotan - a self-defence keychain weapon - before being arrested.

Judge Simon Ward told Whitehouse his first priority had to be the protection of the public because reports indicated he was "potentially dangerous".

But he said as Whitehouse had not used or threatened anyone with the weapons, he was able to take a more lenient course in the case.

"You need to understand that people who take weapons out in public that are designed to hurt people must understand that they normally face a prison sentence," said the judge.

He said that at the time of the offence Whitehouse had been in a dangerous state of mind and he had been "unpredictable".

The judge added that in the past, Whitehouse had found it amusing to cause injury to others.

Whitehouse, of Portland Place, Coseley, admitted possessing offensive weapons and a bladed article and he was given a 12 month jail term, suspended for two years.

"I am going to take a risk with you and I hope it is justified," said the Judge who also told Whitehouse he must attend a rehabilitation course.

Henry Skudra, defending, told Wolverhampton Crown Court that Whitehouse felt a "misguided need for self-defence" adding: "His behaviour at the time was distorted by the state of his mental health."