A DANCING man who was found to be possessing a lock knife has been put behind bars for six months.

Karl Meredith, 46, of Guilsfield, admitted possessing the knife in Dolwen, Guilsfield, when he appeared before Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

On May 16, just before 6pm, police received a call about a “suspicious” man with a potential pretend gun, Ms Tench, prosecuting, told the court.

He was found dancing, wearing headphones and firing an imaginary machine gun, she said.

Ms Tench said he became abusive and swore at the officers. Meredith said that he had been playing with a plastic gun in his room and was singing and dancing waiting for a taxi, the court heard.

He was getting a taxi to get a takeaway and was worried that the police were going to make him miss it, Welshpool magistrates heard.

Meredith said that he did not know he had the knife on him, Ms Tench said.

The court heard that he had previous convictions relating to similar matters.

Owain Jones, defending, said Meredith used the knife to strip cables.

He was not aware the knife was on him and he was not found with it in “dangerous circumstances”, Mr Jones said.

“It was only after the search they found the knife,” Mr Jones said.

Meredith has not been “in trouble” for two years, the defence said.

Mr Jones told magistrates that the lady with him was his support worker, and that although he had not been diagnosed there are concerns with his mental health.

After magistrates ordered and heard a report from the probation service, they sentenced Meredith to six months in prison.

He was told that the offence was serious because of his behaviour towards police, his previous record for carrying offensive weapons and that he was drunk.

Meredith was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115.