Jail for man caught with weapon for 11th time

David Scarlett was seen acting suspiciously near the Royal London pub in Wolverhampton city centre's Wulfruna Street on July 6, a judge heard.

Two police officers involved in an unrelated operation thought he might be involved in a drug deal, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

There was a violent struggle when they tried to detain him for questioning during which he repeatedly tried to reach his back pocket, said Mr Philip Brunt, prosecuting.

The defendant was sprayed with a suppressant after ignoring a warning to stop resisting but still attempted to reach his pockets and waist band while being handcuffed.

When he was searched two blades - from a razor and craft knife - were recovered from his back pocket and he was also found to be in possession of a pair of scissors.

Scarlett, from Jean Drive, Tipton, claimed to have had the mini arsenal of weapons because he had been cutting carpet for his sister.

He pleaded not guilty to possession but was found guilty by magistrates and committed to the Crown Court for sentence.

Mr Richard Paton-Philip, defending, maintained: "He is a habitual drug user and has carried blades to cut his drugs but he now has a one year old daughter. He wants to get clean again, return to work and be a good father."

Judge Rhona Campbell jailed the defendant for 18 months and told him: "You were acting suspiciously in the street while police were there for other reasons.

"You kept reaching towards your pockets and waist band to such an extent you were sprayed with CS gas.

"When searched you were found to have two blades and a pair of scissors.

"These add up to the 11th individual conviction of its kind you have had in an environment where the carrying of knives has high risk of life threatening, if not life ending, injury."