An Ipswich man who claimed he had a 14 inch kitchen knife on him for protection after someone tried to stab him has been jailed for nearly four months.
Carl Mowles, of Blenheim Road, pleaded guilty at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court in Ipswich to two charges of possessing a bladed article in a public place on March 4.
The 42-year-old also admitted the offences put him in breach of a conditional discharge imposed on October 10 last year.
Mowles was given the discharge for assaulting a taxi driver, criminal damage to a taxi and racially aggravated words.
Prosecutor David Bryant said on March 4 two police officers were called to Hervey Street to assist another officer who had detained Mowles.
Mowles had been stopped after the glint of a metal object was seen in the waistband of his trousers.
When spoken to he produced a large kitchen knife, which the court heard was about 14ins in length.
He then put the knife on the ground.
Mr Bryant said when questioned by police Mowles replied: “I only had it for self defence.”
When Mowles was searched an officer found a black lock knife on him. He told police that someone had attempted to stab him earlier.
At the time of his arrest it was around 12.30am and Mowles said he had gone out to try to score some ‘weed’.
He was concerned that the man with whom he had an altercation with earlier could still be in the area which was why he had the knife for protection.
Mowles said the kitchen knife belonged to a friend.
He told an officer the lock knife was his and he had forgotten it was in the lining of his jacket.
Sue Threadkell, representing Mowles, said her client was invariably homeless and he used the lock knife as a bottle opener.
She added that Mowles had “an uneviable list of convictions”.
The court heard Mowles had problems with Class A drugs and alcohol, which began after the death of his mother.
District Judge David Noble said he would re-sentence Mowles for the conditional discharge.
In total the judge sentenced Mowles to 16 weeks’ imprisonment.
He must also pay £115 to the victims’ fund.
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