POLICE caught a former tree surgeon standing in the grounds of Carlisle Cathedral while illegally carrying a lock-knife and a snooker ball in a sock.

But 51-year-old Steven Shaw’s defence lawyer told magistrates that, while the defendant had pleaded guilty to possessing both the knife and the snooker ball – classed as an offensive weapon – he never had any “evil intent.”

Shaw, whose address has previously been given as Hebden Avenue, Carlisle, also admitted possessing amphetamine.

Prosecutor George Shelley outlined the facts.

He said the defendant's offending came to light at 7pm on June 28 when a 101 call was made to the police, with the informant reporting that Shaw appeared to be "under the influence" and was possibly going to ride a motorbike.

The defendant was reported to be near some garages in the grounds of Carlisle Cathedral.

When the police arrived, they saw a male raising his arm as if to sniff some substance, believed to be drugs. Shaw was standing beside a moped. When they searched the defendant’s bag, they found the knife and the snooker ball, which was inside a sock.

They also found the amphetamine.

When quizzed about the snooker ball, the defendant told police it was meant to be a present for his brother – “an ironic reference to a movie” which features a snooker ball in a sock.

Shaw has 18 offences on his record, though they date back to 2003.

Duncan Campbell, defending, said the bag the defendant carried contained the knife because it was something he used in his work as a tree surgeon, but he had not done that work for some time and forgot the blade was there.

“When he discovered the knife, he didn’t know what to do,” said the lawyer. “He didn’t do anything. There was nothing menacing – no evil intent.” 

The same was true of the snooker ball, which Shaw had not intended to use as a weapon, said Mr Campbell. “It was an ironic reference to some film,” said the lawyer, adding that when he was arrested Shaw had been waiting for a lift.

He had not planned to ride his moped.

Magistrates imposed four months jail but said they would suspend the sentence for a year. “We believe there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation,” said lead magistrate Sarah Bradbury.

The sentence includes a six-month mental health treatment requirement and also rehabilitation activity days. Shaw must pay a fine of £40 for failing to attend an earlier hearing as well as £85 costs and a £154 surcharge.