Nathan Primorac pleaded guilty to a host of charges stemming from the July 21 incident, which occurred just after 9.30am in the Crown Street Mall in the presence of workers and shoppers.

Court documents said police were conducting a high visibility operation in the mall involving the use of a fully marked NSW Police bus when Primorac approached a group of officers on duty and pulled a large knife out of the sleeve of his jacket, waving it at them and yelling: ‘‘let’s go c-nts! I’m gonna f-ckin’ stab ya!’’.

Three officers immediately drew their guns, pointed them at Primorac and told him to drop the weapon, however he ignored them, prompting another officer to spray him with capsicum spray.

Primorac still ignored the police direction, instead taking off west along Crown Street holding the knife in his hand.

Officers gave chase, at one stage getting close enough to deploy a Taser, but it failed to connect with the 23-year-old’s body.

Meantime, a taxi driver on Station Street saw Primorac approaching with police in pursuit and yelled at him to stop.

When he failed to do so, the driver crossed the road to place himself in Primorac’s path, later telling police he knew the train station would be crowded, and he feared for the safety of bystanders if Primorac continued on.

The court heard the cabbie stood with his arms out as Primorac ran at him with the 20cm blade in hand, managing to duck and avoid being slashed when Primorac swung the knife towards his head.

Primorac continued onto the train station where he was hit with a Taser and subdued by police.

He was charged with using an offensive weapon to prevent arrest, multiple counts of assaulting police and resisting arrest.

In a police statement tendered to the court this week, officers said numerous people witnessed Primorac’s actions, which caused members of the public to fear for their safety.

They also added ti was “extremely fortunate” the taxi driver was not seriously injured or killed during the incident.