[A] CARLISLE man who tried to enter the city’s crown court building while carrying two knives has been sentenced by a judge.
Benjamin Connor, 41, was stopped by a security guard at the Earl Street site entrance on April 7. He had gone there to sit in the public gallery and watch hearings.
Connor produced two lock-knifes from his jacket. He claimed they were “both legal” – but one was found to be unlawfully carried.
He admitted having a bladed article, and was sentenced at the same building today (THURS). Connor also pleaded guilty to making six indecent class C photographs of a child. These were downloaded while he was a resident at Carlisle’s Carleton Clinic.
Judge Barbara Forrester heard Connor, of Lindisfarne Street, Carlisle, suffered from long-term mental health issues.
Concluding there was “no merit” in sending him to prison, Judge Forrester imposed a 24-month community order comprising a sex offender treatment course and a rehabilitation requirement.
Connor must also sign the Sex Offenders’ Register and abide by the terms of a sexual harm prevention order – each for five years.
