A man who threatened two people with a samurai sword in Southend has been jailed for a year.

Michael Conreen, 24, of no fixed address, received 12 month sentences for affray and having an offensive weapon, to run concurrently, after pleading guilty at Basildon Crown Court on Friday, November 24. 

At around 1.55am on Saturday, May 27, two people were talking to a homeless man in High Street when Conreen ran towards them with a samurai sword

One of the victims suffered a cut to his hand and was quickly assisted by volunteers at the SOS Southend bus.

Conreen was quickly apprehended by our officers who arrested him at the scene and seized the sword, which has been destroyed.

Detective Inspetor Paul Ahmed said: “The victims in this case were very fortunate not to have been seriously hurt by Conreen, who was quickly stopped by our officers and arrested.

“I would like to thank the volunteers at Southend SOS for their assistance during the incident and I would like to praise a homeless man who helped shelter one of the victims after she asked for help."