Man had knife in his possession at store

Ian Alexander Lynas (47), of James Street admitted unlawful possession of the knife in a public place. He was also fined £250.

The court heard that on November 15 last year ambulance staff attended at Tesco in Lurgan where the defendant had a diabetic attack. Lynas made the staff aware that he had a knife on his person.

When he was interviewed on December 3 he said he had been hanging knives in his house and had been using this knife to cut string.

He went to Tesco to get food and had a diabetic attack. He collected knives to help his recovery from alcoholism.

The police accepted that there was no malicious intent on Lynas’ part.

A barrister for Lynas said he had his various difficulties to deal with, both physically and mentally.

He said the defendant had about 150 items hanging on his bedroom wall. He had stayed out of trouble since.

District Judge, Mr Paul Copeland, said possession of a knife was a serious offence.

“You have no business walking around in public with a knife in a pouch like a latter day brigand,” he told Lynas.

He added that the offence crossed the custody threshold.