A MAN caught carrying a knife has been spared a prison sentence because he was ignorant of the law.
Robert Trybulski, a Polish national who came to the UK for “better opportunities”, was given the benefit of the doubt by a judge who took his word he did not know it was an offence in this country.
Wrexham Magistrates Court heard it was legal to carry a knife in Poland and some other European countries.
Although District Judge Andrew Shaw doubted how Trybulski had been able to live in the UK for four years without discovering the law was different here, he spared him a prison sentence.
Trybulski, of Well Place, Brook Street, Wrexham, pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing a knife blade in a public place and being drunk and disorderly after he was involved in a fight after leaving Liquid nightclub.
Matthew Ellis, prosecuting, said police officers found the knife in Trybulski’s pocket after his arrest.
He said: “The defendant was seen by door staff in an altercation with another male.
“He was told to move away and sent down Penybryn while the other man was detained until the police came.
“They were given a warning by police and sent their separate ways but the defendant kept trying to come back and was then arrested.
“When taken to the police station a knife was found in his pocket which he said was for his own protection.”
Trybulski, a construction student at Glyndwr University, insisted he had not known it was illegal to carry the knife. He had no intention of using it and made no attempt to get it out during the incident.
The judge said he was “sceptical”, particularly because the lock knife was in an open position.
He said: “If you had the knife out you would be going to prison.”
Emma Simoes, defending, said Trybulski was very remorseful.
He was given with a 12-month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs.