Alarming CCTV footage captured the moment a bare-chested teenager brandished a knife during a violent clash between teenage gangs on Margate seafront.

Rhys Day, 18, was filmed holding the three-inch folding pocket blade as the disturbance broke out opposite the packed Main Sands beach last summer.

The short clip showed Day, then 17, dressed in just shorts and a balaclava alongside others facing off in Marine Terrace in the middle of the day on August 12.

Hundreds of people were nearby enjoying the sunny weather when the disorder erupted, prompting police to issue a 48-hour dispersal order covering Margate town centre and surrounding areas.

Day, from Maidstone, was later identified on the CCTV footage and arrested after being found hiding in a doorway with the knife beside him.

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He admitted possession of a bladed article when he first appeared before District Judge William Nelson at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on April 3.

His sentencing took place at the same court on Thursday, May 8, following a pre-sentence report.

Elizabeth Evans, prosecuting, said: “Police received multiple calls about a large group of people fighting, and one was seen with a knife.

“[Day] was seen concealing it in his shorts and leaving the scene.

“He was found hiding in a doorway with the knife next to him. The CCTV is quite telling as to what could have happened.”

Defence solicitor Lainy Snook said Day had no prior convictions, had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and was working to turn his life around.

She told the court: “He has expressed a great deal of remorse and has a willingness to comply with help, and a youth worker has been working with him.

“He’s not in school and was previously hanging around with the wrong people.

“He’s had some therapy and his relationships (with others) have improved and he’s getting mental health support. He doesn’t see any of the people from before.”

Judge Nelson described the footage as “intimidating”, noting Day was topless, masked, and holding a knife in the middle of a volatile situation.

He said: “Margate seafront was completely packed that day and the group were engaging in the sort of behaviour that attracts very serious criminal charges - you were brandishing a knife in a situation of real serious disorder.

“You were drinking and taking drugs and engaging with the group in violent behaviour.

“But no one was hurt and you didn’t use the knife, and the pre-sentencing report highlights you have a high level of understanding of the consequences of what you did.

“You have genuine remorse and have pleaded guilty early. You were a youth at the time and I have to consider that, but I have to deter others from doing the same thing.

“I know you didn’t have the level of maturity as most people your age, and you were led on by older peers.”

Although the judge said the starting point for the offence was a year-and-a-half in custody, he instead imposed an 18-month community order, stepping outside of sentencing guidelines due to Day’s age, remorse and potential for rehabilitation.

The sentence includes 30 rehabilitation sessions, a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement, and 200 hours of unpaid work. The knife will be destroyed.

It is understood Day is the only person so far to be charged in connection with the incident.