A knife-wielding man who sparked a huge armed police response over a parking dispute has been given a chance for a fresh start in life.

In a ' wholly exceptional' move, recorder Ben Compton KC decided not to send Nicholas Welch to prison - despite having 50 convictions for 98 past offences.

He was at Southampton Crown Court for smashing a van windscreen with a bike lock because he was annoyed it was parked outside the block of flats where he lived in Portswood Road - all while brandishing a bread knife.

Police called to incident on Portswood Road, SouthamptonPolice called to incident on Portswood Road, Southampton (Image: NQ)His erratic actions caused at least 12 police vehicles to swoop on the road and shut it down, with several officers armed with guns spotted before he was arrested.

While awaiting sentence in prison since the incident on March 7, Welch has 'done well' and stopped taking drugs, Mr Compton said.

On Monday, he gave the 45-year-old a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years - meaning he will now walk free.

He said: “Your whole life has revolved around taking drugs. If ever there was an opportunity to try and sort you out this is the opportunity.

“I don’t see any purpose at all in sending you back to prison. [The ball] is very much in your court now.

“I am going to take a wholly exceptional course with you. If you cooperate there is a real opportunity at 45-years-old that you could do something with your life.

“It is your one real big opportunity today and you have to take it for your own sake.”

Police called to incident on Portswood Road, SouthamptonPolice called to incident on Portswood Road, Southampton (Image: NQ)One bystander was forced to take a step back as he was “frightened” of what Welch might do, before calling the police at around 9.40am, the court heard.

Phone footage of the incident shows Welch rattling a trolley while wielding the knife, moments before armed police arrived.

He previously pleaded guilty to criminal damage and having an article with a blade or point.

Armed police on Portswood Road (Image: Supplied) Speaking at Monday's sentencing, prosecutor Annabel Hazlitt said Welch had caused “serious alarm and distress”.

She added that his past offences included possession of a knife in public, affray and committing offences while on a suspended sentence.

Mr Compton admitted Welch has a “really terrible record” and had “lost it” on the day of the incident.

Nicholas Welch (Image: Goran Karod) Emily Lanham, defending Welch, said her client has an appointment with the community mental health team set up.

He must also complete 25 rehabilitation days.