A MAN who almost died when he slashed his throat outside a police station has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Michael Fox, 23, had armed himself with a kitchen knife and threatened officers at Canterbury police station, magistrates in the city heard.

Fox, of Heaton Road, Wincheap, was extremely drunk when he went to the station on the night of December 3 last year, the court heard.

Officers saw him standing outside the station and watched him produce a knife which he drew across his chest and then across his throat.

Blood pumped from his neck as police and ambulance staff fought to save his life, and he spent 18 days in hospital after the incident and nearly died.

At a previous hearing, Fox admitted threatening behaviour and possessing a bladed weapon. The court heard then that Fox had psychiatric problems, but was not violent.

Fox was given a 120-day sentence suspended for 24 months. He must undergo supervision by the probation service and attend a substance abuse programme.