A 34-year-old man has been sentenced to do unpaid work after admitting to being in possession of an offensive weapon in Kingsmead Square in Bath.
Leroy Harding appeared before Bath magistrates on Wednesday 3rd September to admit he had an extendable baton with him on 11th August.
Harding also pleaded guilty to two further charges on the same day – of using threatening or abusive words of behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress in Alfred Street, and of causing criminal damage to a police vehicle in the city.
The court heard that Harding, of Linley Close in Whiteway, was very remorseful for his “out of character” behaviour.
As well as a 12-month community order during which he must carry out 80 hours of unpaid work, the magistrates ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the baton.
They also ordered Harding, who works as a kitchen porter, to pay £200 compensation for damage to the police vehicle as well as £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.
