A MAN is facing the threat of prison after being caught carrying a knife which he claimed was to cut flowers for his girlfriend.

Kamil Kunat was arrested by police in March 2012 after being caught with the weapon while arguing with two men.

At the time he told police he wanted to cut flowers for his partner to mark International Women’s Day.

But after being charged and released on bail pending a court appearance the 20-year-old left the country to return to his native Poland, disposing of his charge sheet claiming he could not understand what it said.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard how Kunat, was eventually arrested by officers when he returned to the UK.

The court heard how the incident happened on March 10, 2012, when Kunat was seen brandishing a knife on Lyon Street, Southampton, arguing with two men wielding metal bars.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard that police were called at about 6pm and entered a nearby building where Kunat was found hiding in a toilet with a metal bar.

Prosecutor Charles Nightingale said: “When it was put to him that he had a knife, he said he had it because it was International Women’s Day and he needed to cut flowers with it.”

The court was told that after being arrested Kunat, who gave his home address as Etherley Road, north London, left the station with a charge sheet.

Natalie Rawson, defending, said because he did not understand English he disposed of it and returned to Poland to see his ill grandmother.

Kunat later came back to England where he was arrested again and taken to court to face charges of possessing a knife in a public place and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

He admitted both charges.

Kunat was remanded in custody for a pre-sentence report to be carried out, and will next appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on October 13.