A MAN has been fined for possessing a craft knife blade in a public place.

James Liam Welton, of Borough Road, Darlington, admitted the offence when he appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court in County Durham today (Thursday, May 29).

Lorraine Cooper, prosecuting, said the craft knife blade had fallen out of Welton’s trousers when police were searching him in relation to an unrelated matter on Tuesday, May 13.

The 26-year-old told the officers he had used the blade to cut up some cannabis a few days earlier and had forgotten it was there.

Stephanie Thompson, mitigating, said: “There was no suggestion the blade would be used to threaten anybody or cause anyone fear.”

Magistrates fined Welton £110. He was also ordered to pay £50 prosecution costs and a £20 victim surcharge.