A Chinese student armed himself with two meat cleavers and roamed student halls on Christmas Day after he had been mugged, a court heard.

And after he had put down the meat cleavers, he then armed himself with a knife.

The two-hour drama ended when he was spotted on campus CCTV in Firth Street and arrested.

Gingyuan Xlao, 24, appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court in Huddersfield yesterday and admitted possession of an offensive weapon.

The court heard that Xlao had been mugged earlier that day. His wallet and jacket were stolen.

Through an interpreter, Xlao told how he had been frightened and had armed himself for his own protection.

He said he did not seek retribution but was “scared to death”.

Prosecutor Linda Fowler said the defendant was spotted by police in Kings Mill Lane walking bare chested along the street, holding a meat cleaver in each hand.

She told magistrates how Xlao had walked through university halls along Firth Street and into Little Aspley Hall.

The court heard that when he was picked up in Firth Street, his identification was verified via an electronic key fob.

She said: “There appeared to be some suggestion he had been robbed and was protecting himself.”

He told police on arrest he was “scared to death” and “did not want to hurt anyone”.

The court heard in mitigation the student had no previous convictions and had already finished his three-year course and was waiting to go home in the New Year.

He said he already has flights booked to go home to China at the end of the month when his visa expires.

Magistrates decided the case was too serious to be dealt with by them and committed it to be heard at Leeds Crown Court on a date yet to be fixed.

The defendant was remanded in custody.