A 29-YEAR-OLD man who sparked an armed police man hunt in Salisbury pleaded guilty to a charge of affray today (Thursday).

Luke Elliott Smith entered his plea at Winchester Crown Court after prosecutors changed his charge to one of affray from that of threatening a person with a bladed or sharply pointed article in a public place.

He admitted threatening unlawful violence towards a police officer in St Michael’s Road in Bemerton Heath on December 10, in a manner that would have caused the officer to fear for his personal safety.

Prosecutor Philip Warren said the guilty plea was on the basis that Smith was holding a multi-tool and the section unfolded, and in view, was the pliers and not the knife blade.

However, the court heard Smith had accepted that the police officer concerned had believed it to be the blade.

Mr Warren said the prosecution accepted Smith's guilty plea in relation to the amended charge because it was "not in a position to disprove it".

Smith of no fixed abode, was remanded in custody and is due to appear back at Winchester Crown Court for sentencing on June 17.