A man accidentally stabbed his friend with a knife while recklessly trying to intimidate a group of people in Peterborough.

Police say that Safa Lawan (23) had sent one of the group threatening messages on social media and demanded money on September 27.

A Cambridgeshire police spokesperson said: “When he saw the man with the group of other men in Highbury Street, Millfield, Peterborough, the following day, he approached and began wildly swinging the knife around, accidently catching the friend he was with on the shoulder, causing a minor injury.

“The group managed to get away unharmed and police were called. Lawan, of Russell Street, Peterborough, was arrested the same day.”

Lawan was jailed for 22 months at Cambridge Crown Court having pleaded guilty to affray and possession of a knife in public.

Afterwards, DC Hannah Worthington said: “Lawan’s behaviour was completely reckless – demonstrated by the fact he accidently caught his friend with the knife he was swinging."