A man who said that being Tasered by the police made him feel "awesome" was sentenced to 10 months in jail yesterday.

Oliver McManus, 23, called the police just after midnight on November 2 saying he was going to stab someone unless they got there in five minutes.

When officers arrived at his home in Southdown Road, Harpenden, they were approached by McManus who was wielding a kitchen knife with a six inch blade.

He was told to drop the knife, but ignored the request and used the knife to cut his own neck and arms, St Albans crown court heard.

A police officer fired a Taser at him from 15 feet, causing him to collapse. When he recovered he said the electric shock had made him feel alive and made him feel awesome.

He was arrested and taken into custody. The court heard he had a history of self harming.

McManus pleaded guilty to having an article with a blade.

Judge Stephen Warner jailed him for 10 months and ordered the knife to be forfeited.