Bradford’s top judge has sent out a strong warning that those who carry knives in the city will end up behind bars.

The Recorder of Bradford, Judge Roger Thomas QC, was locking up a teenager who drew a six-inch bladed knife in Manchester Road on February 27.

Farid Khan, 19, of Fellside Close, West Bowling, was sentenced to 12 months’ detention in a young offender institution for taking out the weapon during a daylight confrontation with four youths.

Judge Thomas said the fact that Khan had no previous convictions, had pleaded guilty to carrying a bladed article at the earliest opportunity and did not actually use the knife could not save him from immediate custody.

Prosecutor Nikki Peers told Bradford Crown Court yesterday that Khan carried the knife wrapped in a sock down his trousers.

He got it out after looks were exchanged between him and the approaching group, aged 12 to 18.

Khan, who said the knife was for his own protection, told the police at the roadside and later in interview: “Bradford is for fighting,” the court was told.

He said he was “fed up with being jumped” and so had armed himself.

He was disarmed by police officers who were passing in a patrol car.

Judge Thomas said: “There are places in this country where the carrying of knives is endemic and that leads to knives being used.

“In my experience of Bradford, over 40 years, it is not really one of those cities where there is flagrant carrying of knives and use of knives.”

Judge Thomas added: “The danger of knife crime is that once the knife is carried, the next step is for it to be produced and used.”

He told Khan: “Fortunately for you and for others, no harm was caused by your knife.”