18-year-old sentenced after arriving at rumoured protest site with knife
An 18-year-old has been sentenced to 26 weeks in a young offender institution after turning up to a rumoured protest site with a knife in his possession.
Thomas Connelly, 18, of Regency Square, Warrington, pleaded guilty at Chester Magistrates’ Court to a charge of possession of a bladed article in a public place.
He was arrested after being searched by officers in Orford Lane, Warrington, where there had been rumours – which turned out to be false – that a protest related to the wider national disorder was planned, prompting police to exercise their stop and search powers.
Cheshire Police said Connelly told the officers searching him that he had a folding lock knife in his pocket.
A spokesperson for the force said Connelly “had clearly made his way to Orford Lane after hearing this speculation”.
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