The man who threatened two paddle skiers with a knife at Horseshoe beach had been arrested nearby days earlier by police responding to reports of antisocial behaviour.
Christopher Redman, 40, was sentenced to jail in Newcastle court after he confronted the two Cooks Hill Surf Life Saving Club members in an incident that sparked renewed calls for safety improvements in the Nobbys area.
Court documents revealed that in the days before Redman ran towards the victims with a knife and repeatedly yelled "I will f---ing stab you", he had also approached a bus driver whole holding a sharpened tent peg.
Three months earlier, in May, he had punched and kicked a glass window at Queens Wharf Hotel before lunging at one patron and tormenting others.
It was about 5.15pm on August 12 when Mat Egan and Mark Breasley wrapped up ski paddle training at Horseshoe beach.
The pair began walking towards a bush track that led to the boat sheds and car park but saw Redman standing there screaming.
They continued walking but he started yelling at them and coming towards them.
According to a police statement of facts, Redman said: "I will f---ing get you". It was then that Mr Egan noticed the knife and warned his mate.
Redman repeatedly yelled "I will f---ing stab you" as Mr Egan and Mr Breasley retreated into the water and Redman directed his attention to others approaching the beach area.
A member of the public called police and officers found a man matching the description provided at a tent nearby and saw a knife next to it. The man denied all allegations.
Police said he was arrested on an outstanding warrant.
Mr Egan and Mr Breasley later provided formal statements to police and Redman was charged with the Horseshoe beach incident.
The pair told the Newcastle Herald of their fear and safety worries for others in the aftermath.
It came after a bus driver had a run-in with Redman in Newcastle East on August 6.
The man was on a break when Redman walked across Watt Street holding a sharpened steel tent peg and lunged at a bus that drove past.
Redman approached the parked bus and the driver retreated. He feared for his safety as Redman boarded the bus, yelled, struck the driver door with his fist, and raised his arm with the tent peg.
Redman walked away and police were alerted.
Earlier that week, on August 4, police had been patrolling bushland at Nobbys beach due to recent reports of antisocial behaviour. Redman, who had an address at Bar Beach, came out of a tent and spoke to officers.
He had a small bag of methamphetamine and had failed to report to police on July 30, so was arrested.
Then, about 8.15pm on August 13, after the Horseshoe beach incident, police were patrolling Wharf Road when they spotted Redman.
Police were there because they were looking for someone matching his description who had reportedly threatened people with a knife 20 minutes earlier.
Police said Redman became extremely aggressive and officers deployed capsicum spray to arrest him.
Redman was sentenced on Friday in Newcastle Local Court after pleading guilty to a string of charges stemming from separate matters.
He was ordered to spend eight months in jail with a non-parole period of four months. He was also handed a good behaviour order for eight months.
