AN elderly 'nuisance' who had a knife in a Worcester street is now in hospital, delaying his sentence.

Patrick Niblett is in Worcestershire Royal Hospital with discharge planning yet to begin, Worcester Crown Court was told yesterday.

The 79-year-old, living in a guest house in Barbourne Road, Worcester, had already admitted possession of a bladed article in a public place (Broad Street, Worcester) on September 20 this year.

He was due to be sentenced last month but failed to turn up at court though no warrant was issued for his arrest.

His barrister, Michael Aspinall, said: "He's currently still in hospital. Discharge planning has not started. He will require a package of care, residential care, in due course. He's pleaded guilty already so there's little that can be done."

The case was adjourned by Judge Jim Tindal until February 10.

At a previous hearing it was revealed that the knife Niblett was found with was not a traditional sort of lock knife and more of a folding pocket knife with a safety mechanism to stop the knife folding back.

Judge Cartwight said at the previous hearing last month: "This elderly gentleman is a nuisance and a huge expense to the criminal justice system and the NHS as well."