A man accused of illegally possessing an axe and knife in Keswick is to stand trial later this year.
Chris Wilkinson, 33, was charged following an incident in the town on Monday, and was brought before magistrates in Carlisle from custody the following day.
Wilkinson faces two charges which allege the possession of bladed articles – an axe and a knife – in a public place. An additional charge alleges that he resisted a police constable on the same date.
During a short court hearing, Wilkinson pleaded not guilty to all three of the allegations. A prosecutor said in a brief outline that the charges had been brought after police were called to an address at Blencathra Street. It was alleged that offences were committed in the aftermath as officers conducted enquiries.
An axe was said to have been found in a holdall, and a knife on the defendant’s person.
Defence solicitor Ant Wilson said of the two bladed article possession charges that were denied: “We say he has got a reasonable excuse for having both of these items.”
A trial will now take place at Workington Magistrates’ Court on November 30.
In the meantime Wilkinson — who is said to work off-shore and gave his address as Ashford Avenue, Middlesbrough — was granted unconditional bail.
