A WREXHAM man with no previous convictions has been jailed after admitting to being in possession of two knives after being stopped by police.

Nathan Seward, 19, of Dodds Lane, Gwersyllt, had been stopped by officers at around 6pm on October 31 because he had been riding his motorbike on the pavement on Llay New Road in Rhosddu.

Justin Espie, prosecuting, told North East Magistrates Court at Mold how a knife had dropped to the floor as Seward got off the bike, and he immediately admitted to officers about another knife he had under the seat of the vehicle. He told officers he had only bought one of the knives that day and the reason he had been driving on the pavement was because he had broken down earlier in the day and as a result of having no brake light, decided it was safer to drive very slowly along the pavement instead of the road.

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Images, above and below: The knives found in Nathan Seward’s possession. Image provided by Crown Prosecution Service

Emma Simoes, defending, said Seward had bought one of the knives earlier that day, while the lock knife he had under his seat was kept there as he used it as a wire cutter and to carry out repairs on his bike. She said he had been very silly rather than having had any real intention of carrying out any offences.

Probation officer Pamela Roberts who interviewed Seward, said he had been travelling home from his girlfriend’s house when he was stopped by police and that he now knows he shouldn’t have been carrying knives around with him.

Ms Roberts went on to say how Seward, who had no previous convictions, had learnt his lesson and would be leaving any knives at home in the future.

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After considering the matter for some time the chair of magistrates Penny Rogers returned to tell Seward that the bench had to follow new guidelines in dealing with such matters and that immediate custody was justified, despite the fact he had no previous convictions.

She told him he had not been clear about why he had the knives and sentenced him to serve three months for the possession of each knife, although they will be served concurrently. Seward will also have to pay a surcharge of £122.

Emma Simoes advised the court that she would be appealing the sentence, but failed in an attempt to have Seward released on bail until that matter can be heard in the crown court.