A MAN who claimed he forgot he still had a lock knife in his jacket pocket, after police searched the occupants of a car for drugs, has been given a “very last chance” by magistrates.

Unemployed Thomas Davies, 23, of Nant y Coed, Holywell, admitted having the knife in public at Bodelwyddan in Denbighshire on May 8.

The prosecution said the car had made off from police and Davies was under a 16 weeks suspended sentence imposed in March for assault.

Prosecutor Diane Williams told Llandudno court: "This offence was committed very recently after the suspended sentence.”

Bethan Jones, defending, said Davies co-operated with police who questioned him.

He had been a passenger in the car and the knife was not brandished.

The lawyer said he had the knife for fishing and hunting the previous night.

She added Davies had shown remorse.

A four months suspended jail term was imposed with 100 hours unpaid work and £200 costs.

Court chairwoman Jean Bryson said there was “very strong personal mitigation”, adding Davies had some mental health issues.

She told Davies: “There’s a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. You are doing well on your existing order.

"You have strong family input. We do believe custody would have a significant impact on the family.

“By the very narrowest margin our decision is not to activate the sentence.

"It would be your very last chance.

"Make no mistake, if you put a foot wrong you will be straight to prison.

"If we see you here again we will take a very dim view.”