Patrick Blackmore, 21, formerly of Merimbula, appeared in Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited weapon and being armed with intent to commit an offence after being previously convicted of an indictable offence.

Police alleged Blackmore pulled a knife with knuckle duster finger holds from his pants during a verbal confrontation outside Coles Batemans Bay just before midday on Tuesday, January 9.

The accused allegedly felt insulted after the victim, who had spent time with Blackmore in prison, called him a “spinner”.

“The accused pointed the knife at the victim and said ‘I’m going to f---ing stab you’,” police said.

“The accused continued walking towards the victim whilst holding the knife and extending it in front of him in a jabbing motion towards the victim.”

Security staff approached Blackmore and asked him to hand over the weapon, to which he refused, police said.

While Blackmore was escorted from the centre, he allegedly pulled the knife out again and threatened to stab the victim.

Court documents said Blackmore ran from the shopping centre to the Batemans Bay foreshore, near Orient Street, where he threw the knife into the river. Officers later arrested Blackmore in Orient Street.

Police said Blackmore’s initial intention was to punch the victim with the knuckle duster.

Blackmore was granted bail during his January 15 court appearance, on the condition he reside in Catalina and not travel north of the Batemans Bay bridge to the victim’s address.

He was referred for an Intensive Corrections Order assessment and will face court again on Monday, February 19.