A man who claims that he forgot a knife which he used on camping trips was in his car has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
The 29-year-old’s barrister told court that his client had a previous relevant entry, on that occasion having been advised to carry a knife in his vehicle by colleagues whilst working as a delivery driver.
Svetoslav Nedev, of Hillhead Gardens in Banbridge, appeared for sentencing on possession of a bladed article in a public place at Armagh Magistrates’ Court, sitting at Newry, on Tuesday.
Prosecution outlined that on September 25, the defendant was stopped driving on the Mall East, Armagh, and was asked to produce his driving documents.
Nedev told officers that he did not have his licence with him. As they went to make checks the defendant was observed going through a bag in the passenger footwell.
When questioned about this, Nedev was evasive and thus a search was carried out of the vehicle. During this search, a knife was located under the driver’s seat.
Defence barrister Michael Tierney stated: “He is a Bulgarian national who has lived here for seven years. He says that the knife had been left in the vehicle from he was away camping.
“He was nervous as this was at a time when you were not allowed to travel to Donegal to go camping. He insists he simply forgot it was there but accepts he should not have.”
He added that this was different than the previous relevant entry in which he had been advised to carry a knife in his vehicle by colleagues, whilst working as a delivery driver.
Deputy District Judge Laura Ivers stated: “It is concerning that he came to adverse attention for this type of offence before.”
Nedev was sentenced to one month in prison suspended for a period of 12 months.
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