Benjamin Sheard, 25, told police six years ago he could “end up killing someone” because of his drinking and he had drunk vodka before confronting the guests this summer, York Magistrates' Court heard.
He has previous convictions for stabbing his brother in the back, injuring a friend in a separate incident and arson.
York Magistrates' Court heard he didn’t know four people who were walking along Lawrence Street near the city centre en route to their friends’ wedding at 11.20am on July 27.
All four in statements read to the court spoke of their terror at his actions when he came up to them, suddenly produced a large kitchen knife after grabbing one of the male guests and raised the weapon to shoulder height with the blade pointing down.
“I felt powerless,” said one of the woman guests. “I was about to watch my friend getting stabbed and there was nothing I could do to stop it.”
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