A Portadown teenager who was caught in possession of a chef’s knife has been sentenced to 80 hours of community service.
The 18-year-old’s solicitor stated: “This knife was not brandished, it was in his backpack and if anyone was going to be hurt that night it was going to be Mr Chambers himself”.
Ross Chambers, of Bridge Street, pleaded guilty to possession of a blade in a public place at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
It was heard that on April 28, at around 6.30pm, police received a report that the defendant had left his home address with a large kitchen knife.
At 6.40pm, officers located the Chambers on Hoys Meadow, Portadown, and he was spoken to.
During a search of the surrounding area, a small bag containing a 10-inch silver knife was found just five metres from the defendant.
At 8.45pm Chambers was arrested and taken to Lurgan Custody Suite.
During interview, he made admissions and claimed that he was bringing the knife to work as a chef.
Defence solicitor John McAtamney stated: “He is not currently working, he had been working as a chef up until recently, this was a plea at the earliest opportunity and he has a very limited record.
“There was a lot of alcohol taken but to his credit he has abstained since; he instructs that he does think alcohol is good for him and had decided not to take it”.
He added: “This knife was not brandished, it was in his backpack and if anyone was going to be hurt that night it was going to be Mr Chambers himself.”
The defendant was sentenced to an enhanced combination order consisting of 12 months of probation and 80 hours of community service.
