A Doncaster man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for carrying a knife in public, racially aggravated assault and assaulting a 16-year-old girl on 23 March 2010.

John Marston from the Belle Vue area of Doncaster appeared in Doncaster Crown Court for sentencing on 29 June 2010 after being convicted of attacking two passers-by as he walked alongside Old North Bridge in Doncaster. A member of the public who witnessed the incidents telephoned South Yorkshire Police and a police dog and officer were deployed to the area. Marston was seen to throw what appeared to be a carving knife into the river Don and upon resisting arrest the police dog was deployed and Marston was safely detained.

South Yorkshire Police deployed its Underwater Search Team to recover the knife used in the attacks and this was preserved as vital evidence in securing the conviction.

PC Martin Wood of Doncaster Volume Crime Team said: "This successful conviction should serve as a warning to anyone who thinks carrying an offensive weapon is acceptable. The message from the police in Doncaster is clear, if you are caught carrying an offensive weapon in public or threaten anybody with one you will be apprehended."