The A&E ward at Watford General Hospital was evacuated after a man walked in with a knife.

Daniel Hickey had walked up to the reception desk at the hospital in Vicarage Road on July 17 before drawing a knife from his right trouser pocket.

St Albans Crown Court heard the blade was 3-4 inches long.

Adam Squibbs, prosecuting, said the threat with the knife was “serious” and that A&E had been cleared as a result.

He said that Hickey claimed he was “looking for help” and that no one would help him.

Watford Observer: The incident happened at Watford General HospitalThe incident happened at Watford General Hospital

It was then that a doctor asked him to hand over the knife - Hickey complied when he was asked for a second time.

The 35-year-old was escorted out by security and was later arrested – the court heard that Hickey said he would “never have used” the knife in a holding cell before having a no comment interview.

Hickey, of Pollards, Maple Cross, Rickmansworth, appeared at St Albans Crown Court on Friday to be sentenced after pleading guilty to possessing a knife blade in a public place.

In mitigation, the court heard that Hickey struggles with mental health and the act at Watford General Hospital was because of an acute symptom of an uncertain condition.

Watford Observer: Hickey was sentenced at St Albans Crown Court Hickey was sentenced at St Albans Crown Court

The court was told that he was feeling “anxious and abandoned” at the time and that the “foolish” incident occurred out of “desperation”.

The court heard that he also has acute depression and drinks alcohol.

Hickey’s last conviction was in 2009 but he has since stayed out of trouble – the court was told that Hickey would benefit from treatment.

Sentencing Hickey, Recorder Lennard said that “going into a hospital with a knife and waving it around was appaling”.

He said the incident would have been distressing for people working at the hospital and patients waiting to be treated.

He warned Hickey of jail time, but said the 35-year-old had generalised anxiety disorder and has suffered from “severe episodes”.

Hickey was handed a 12-month sentence suspended for 24 months.

He was also given a curfew between 8pm and 6am and a 20-day rehabilitation requirement.

Hickey must also complete an alcohol treatment programme.