Armed police called to Inverness supermarket car park after man was seen with knife
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Campbell Freeman had earlier threatened a police dog handler called to the Tesco Inshes store.
His arrival followed reports by members of the public and security staff at the store and he called in the Armed Response Unit when the 54-year-old refused to drop the large kitchen blade.
Officers had to draw their Tasers during the April 25 incident, Inverness Sheriff Court heard, before Freeman complied with their demand.
Freeman, a former funeral parlour worker from Thurso, admitted a long list of previous convictions including one involving a knife.
He pleaded guilty to possession of a knife in a public place and threatening behaviour in terms of the Teso incident and was jailed for 16 months.
The court heard that on April 25 Freeman had been due to attend a hospital appointment, but drank over a bottle and a half of Vodka instead.
Defence solicitor George Mathers said his client had found the knife and didn't mean any harm.
He went on to say that Freeman's offending began when he was aged 29, his wife left him and he became an alcoholic.
Mr Weir said that police were alerted after Freeman went into the store and asked a security guard for assistance as he had cut his finger.
He had earlier been seen sitting on a bench, removing the knife from his jacket and moving it from hand to hand.
