A man dressed as a pirate has been accused of being illegally in possession of a cutlass.

Police were called to a minor road collision where they found one of the drivers dressed as a sea-faring brigand.

Officers, who had received reports that an argument had broken out after an accident in Robertson Street, Hastings, then found a sword modified to look like a cutlass.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said a 60-year-old had been arrested on suspicion of possessing a bladed weapon in a public place, after the man “could provide no lawful explanation for having the dangerous blade."

Ian Duncan of Bohemia Road, Hastings, appeared at Hastings Magistrates’ Court on Friday. He denied possession of a bladed article in a public place after the incident last Thursday.

He was granted bail and ordered to return to the court on May 24.