[A] MAN found in possession of a knuckleduster and a knife in a Kendal park has been sent to prison.
Alastair David McCallum, 27, came to the attention of plain-clothes police who were at Nobles Rest on the night of October 14 following a previous incident.
Officers heard loud voices and found McCallum, who was illegally possessing the two items.
Carlisle Crown Court heard McCallum said had bought the knuckleduster from a market, and told police he had it “to defend himself from scumbags”. The knife, which was attached to a key ring and had a one-inch blade, held sentimental value as it had been a present from his grandfather.
McCallum insisted he never planned to put either item to criminal use.
But he was sentenced today having admitted possessing both a bladed article and offensive weapon in public. He also pleaded guilty to possessing a small amount of cannabis which was also found on his person.
Judge Peter Hughes QC heard McCallum, of Underwood, Kendal, had previous convictions for having offensive weapons, including an axe and baseball bat.
As a result, Judge Hughes imposed an immediate eight-month jail term.
