A depressed man who was handed an 18 month prison term after terrifying a paramedic by producing a bloodstained knife has had his jail sentence cut on appeal.

An ambulance was called by concerned members of the public when Michael Golebiowski, 21, was spotted wandering covered in blood in Hulverston Close, Sutton, on May 17.

But when paramedic Alex Gibb approached Golebiowski, who appeared dazed, he produced a bloodstained 10 inch kitchen knife.

Mr Gibb retreated to his ambulance and called the police. It later emerged that Golebiowski, who was depressed after losing his job and being made homeless, had been self harming with the weapon.

He was jailed for 18 months at Croydon Crown Court on September 9 after pleading guilty to having a bladed article.

But that sentence was cut to 12 months by Mr Justice Blake and Judge Richard Brown sitting at London's Criminal Appeal Court.

Despite being terrified, Mr Gibb had realised that Golebiowski, by his bizarre actions, was issuing a cry for help, said Mr Justice Blake, allowing the appeal.

He said: "Every knife carried about on the streets, even if it is not intended to be used, constitutes a risk to public safety and public order. Such offences have reached epidemic proportions.

"However, in this case there is much to be said in mitigation.

"He is young with no previous convictions, was going through a period of depression and any intention to harm was self harm only, and not directly to anybody else.

"We take the view that the correct sentence would have been one of 12 months and, to that extent, this appeal is allowed."