A Norwich fan has been jailed after he was seen with a knife while arguing with another man outside Carrow Road following the Canaries match with Manchester United.

Jason Thrower - who had to be restrained by an off-duty police officer - was also given a five-year football banning order by Norwich Crown Court.

The incident happened on December 28.

Police have welcomed Thrower’s six-month prison sentence. PC Andy King, football liaison officer, said: “This incident happened on busy match day and thankfully due to the intervention of an off duty officer no one was injured. The fact anyone consider should carrying a knife like this anywhere in public, let alone near a busy football ground, is not only illegal but beyond belief.

“Thrower was completely irresponsible and the prison sentence sends a clear message to fans that such reckless behaviour will not be tolerated.

“We will actively seek banning orders for those people brought before the courts which in turn act as a punishment and a deterrent.”

Thrower, of Raleigh Court, Norwich, pleaded guilty to possessing a kitchen knife.

The incident unfolded shortly after 5pm when Thrower was involved in an argument with another man outside the ground. Witnesses reported seeing him with a knife and an off-duty police officer grabbed the knife from the suspect’s waistband before throwing it on the ground, detaining him until uniformed officers arrived on scene. Thrower was arrested on suspicion of possessing a knife in a public place and the knife was seized.

Norwich City Football Club has imposed a lifetime ban on Thrower entering the ground.