Powys angler who had two knives in car spared prison

Paul Dunkerley, 53, pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article in public after officers stopped him on the A483 near Newtown on March 6.

During a search of his vehicle after he was stopped for a possible drugs offence, police found a 14cm black-handled kitchen knife and an 18cm filleting knife in a sheath in the boot.

Dunkerley, of Glan yr Afon in Berriew, changed his plea to guilty earlier this month, having originally denied the offence.

"He told officers he had forgotten about the filleting knife after using it for fishing about a year ago," said prosecutor Helen Tench, speaking at Welshpool Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, June 30.

"He said the kitchen knife did not belong to him and he had no idea how it had got there."

A guilty plea was entered on the morning of his trial.

Gurleen Kaur, defending Dunkerley, said: "He fishes recreationally and had fishing gear in the car.

"His mother was due to move to a care home, and he had to empty the car. During this, the knife fell out.

"He takes responsibility for it being in his vehicle. There was no serious alarm or distress caused."

Welshpool Magistrates' Court. (Image: Google)

Ms Kaur added that there were few options for the bench other than to hand her client a suspended prison sentence, as the probation service had deemed electronic monitoring and unpaid work unsuitable for Dunkerley due to health issues.

"Probation are suggesting a fine, but he is on benefits at the moment, so doesn't have the financial means to afford anything," she said.

Magistrates said the offence crossed the custody threshold and sentenced him to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months.

Anthony Jackson, chair of the bench, told the defendant: "Custody is the only suitable option."

As part of the sentence, he will undertake 20 rehabilitation activity days. he must pay £200 in court costs, as well as a £154 surcharge.

Magistrates also made a deprivation order for the two knives.