BOUNCERS from two city centre pubs believed that Stephan Mann produced a knife after they restrained him outside the Hereward in Ely. But city magistrates were not convinced that Mann had a weapon when he lost it in Market Street and threatened door sta

BOUNCERS from two city centre pubs believed that Stephan Mann produced a knife after they restrained him outside the Hereward in Ely.

But city magistrates were not convinced that Mann had a weapon when he "lost it" in Market Street and threatened door staff.

They found Mann not guilty of affray - saying witnesses had given inconsistent evidence and CCTV footage had not shown a knife.

But the court decided Mann was guilty of the lesser charge of threatening behaviour, and adjourned sentencing for three weeks.

Head doorman at the Townhouse, Phillip Champion, told how he went to help doorman Haris Rahimic outside the Hereward, after a glass was taken away from Mann.

"I helped restrain him by holding one of his arms," he said. "Mann was verbally abusive and aggressive. He told us: "you had better watch your back and I am going to do you now." He was pigeon breasted, trying to make himself look bigger."

Mann left the area, but returned and offered to fight Mr Champion and was abusive to both doormen.

"He started to empty his pockets, he threw things on the floor and he pulled two knifes from his pockets, he had one in each hand.

"One knife had a three-inch blade and one had a four-inch blade, he threatened us and slightly waved them around."

Mr Rahimic said he thought he saw a knife in Mann's hand, but it could have been a screwdriver.

Mann accepted the description of his behaviour, but denied having a knife.

"I sat there to calm down, I had completely lost it," he said. Mann was shown a photograph taken from CCTV footage, and said the glinting on the picture probably came from his mobile phone.