A MAN disarmed by a mum-of-one after she spotted him wielding a nail-spiked stick in a hospital has been jailed for one month.

Carole Lushman, 37, an employee of Lancashire Police in Rossendale, confronted Craig Thomas in a corridor at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, when he was clearly under the influence of alcohol, Blackburn magistrates heard.

She told security staff to keep back when he became agitated by their presence.

After five minutes of negotiations, she disarmed Thomas, of Bridge Street, Blackburn, by promising that she could get him a meat sandwich.

Mrs Lushman, of Hyndburn, who was visiting her poorly mother at the time, then kept him restrained until the police arrived.

Teresa Feeley, prosecuting, said Mrs Lushman, deserved to be commended for her actions and added: "I think you will agree that she showed considerable courage."

Thomas, 29, pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon at the hospital and possession of another offensive weapon, a screwdriver, on a prior date. He also admitted a charge of shoplifting.

Roger Pickles, defending, said Thomas had been introduced to amphetamine when he was 13 and he had been addicted to one drug or another ever since.

"He has been addicted to amphetamine, crack cocaine, heroin and, more recently, alcohol," said Mr Pickles.

"He says he has an addictive personality and replaces one substance with another."

Mr Pickles said Thomas was realistic enough to realise that he was going to prison and hoped to use it as a spring-board for a new start.

"While he has been in Preston Prison awaiting sentence he has witnessed a suicide and that is the second he has seen during his periods of imprisonment," said Mr Thomas.

"He has decided that is not the way he wants to go."