ONE-LEGGED whisky drinking pensioner Robert Wilkinson, 73, hurled abuse at police before lunging at them from his wheelchair with a kitchen knife, a court heard.

Swindon Crown Court heard how police officers had to wrestle the blade from him after drunken Wilkinson parked his chair in front of a van in Catherine Street, Swin-don, on October 6 last year.

Wilkinson, of Faringdon Road, Swindon, denied possessing a bladed article.

But though a jury decided he was unfit to be put through a trial because of mental disability, another jury found that he did carry out the act.

The Recorder, Mr Christopher Clark QC, adjourned the case until Friday when arrangements for the pensioner's future care can be aired. Prosecuting, Rob Welling told the court how Sgt Glenn Bremner and a colleague were on mobile patrol in Swindon town centre when a crowd summoned them to stop.

In a statement read to the court, Sgt Bremner said how he saw Wilkinson blocking a van in the road and holding a kitchen knife.

After Wilkinson abused and threatened to kill him, Sgt Bremner said, officers grabbed the pensioner by the arms and made him drop the knife.

Wilkinson told police he had drunk half a bottle of whisky, got dressed, and ended up in the police station, adding that he couldn't remember what happened.

Defending, Peter Henry did not wish to address the jury of nine men and three women further.

The jury, after deliberating for two minutes, decided that the pensioner had done the act.

Wilkinson was released on unconditional bail, under the care of his son-in-law.