A WORKINGTON man has denied smashing a window and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place – namely, a metal bar with a blade attached to it.

John Porter, 42, of Jackson Road, Salterbeck, formally entered not guilty pleas to both allegations when he appeared before Carlisle’s Rickergate court.

Prosecutors say that he committed both offences on September 26, allegedly smashing a house window in Birch Close, Workington and possessing the weapon while on the street where he lives.

The prosecution case is that he had the weapon without a reasonable excuse but threw it away before he was detained by the police. After hearing legal arguments, magistrates set November 25 as the date for the trial.

The case will be heard in Workington before the town’s magistrates there after Porter elected to have his case heard by magistrates or a district judge rather than at Carlisle Crown Court.

Magistrates granted the defendant bail but attached three conditions. These are as follows: That he must live and sleep each night at his current address in Jackson Road, Workington; that he must have not contact whatsoever with the woman whose window he is accused of smashing; and that he must not go to Birch Close where the woman lives.

The defendant was represented in court by defence lawyer Kate Hunter.