Two men accused of possessing offensive weapons in a Penrith car park have elected to have their case heard in front of a crown court judge.
Lewis Blenkharn, 20, and 22-year-old Charlie Cartmell each face one identical charge following an incident outside the Sainsbury’s store on the evening of December 21 last year.
This alleges that without reasonable authority or lawful excuse they each had an offensive weapon in a public place.
Blenkharn and Cartmell both appeared at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court today.
Giving a brief outline of the case, prosecutor Diane Jackson said it was alleged the men had produced weapons from the boots of their respective cars — Blenkharn a long-handled axe and Cartmell a baseball bat — before the items were returned to the vehicles.
No pleas were entered to the charge by the defendants, who spoke to confirm their identities while standing side-by-side in the court dock.
Both elected to have the case heard at Carlisle Crown Court. They are due to appear there in front of a judge, for a plea and trial preparation hearing, on March 14.
In the meantime Blenkharn, of Maidenhill, near Penrith, and Cartmell, of Newlands, near Keswick, have been granted bail.
