A man who brandished a Samurai sword at his boss in a dispute over wages has avoided a spell in jail.

Slawomir Zoltek was told by a judge at Leicester Crown Court that he had behaved "disgustingly" but was not a danger to the public.

The 28-year-old was working as a £3.50-an-hour cleaner at city centre car wash when he got into an argument with his boss last July 27.

Prosecutor Victoria Rose told yesterday's hearing that Zoltek had demanded a day's wages he believed he was owed.

When his employer refused, Zoltek returned with a Japanese fighting sword. Ms Rose said: "He pulled out the Samurai sword, removed the cover and then waved the knife around while demanding money."

The court heard that Zoltek was found by police shortly afterwards in an outhouse at his home in New Parks Boulevard, Leicester.

He told officers he had been taking the weapon to his father who was flying back to Poland to see his sister.

In mitigation Esther Harrison said he was "extremely ashamed and remorseful".

She said he had worked 10-hour days, six days a week at the car wash and felt exploited She said he was "a very low risk".

Judge Michael Pert QC said: "What you did that day was disgusting. The public is very worried about knife crime.

"I accept that there were particular mitigating circumstances in your case and while what you did that day was stupid, you are not a danger to the public."

Zoltek was given a six-month suspended prison sentence, and ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work.

He will also have to register on an education, training and employment programme.