A recovering heroin addict who threatened a group of street drinkers with a knife has been spared jail.

Stephen Gregory, 45, of Leyton Road, Enfield pleaded guilty to using a bladed weapon to threaten when he appeared before Wood Green Crown Court on Friday, October 20.

The court heard how the father-of-two had had an argument with his partner at Edmonton Green station on August 22.

Defending, Mr Piers Mostyn told the court: “He had had an altercation with his partner and she had gone out to speak to some people outside the station who were street drinkers.

“He has been harassed by them before and carried a knife, he says, to protect himself.

“There was no intention to cause any harm. His actions do not suggest he made any attempt to stab.

“He’s not a violent man, essentially. He has no previous history of carrying a weapon.

“He has turned himself around from being a criminal drug addict to being the man of the house.”

Gregory was disarmed after being overpowered by members of the public.

The court heard how Gregory, who has since separated from his partner, is the main carer for his children and has been following a heroin recovery programme for eight years.

He has two previous convictions for actual bodily harm (ABH) and common assault.

Sentencing, Judge Greenberg QC said: “I have no doubt you know just how stupidly you behaved on that day.

“You are somebody with a background of drug abuse but you have made a valiant effort to address your problems.

“You do not have a history of serious violence and I have considered carefully the facts of the pre-sentence report.

“I trust that you will realise just how lucky you have been.”

Gregory was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and must comply with a rehabilitation activity requirement for 30 days.

He was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work in the community.