A CARLISLE man who was threatened with a hammer and a screwdriver during a terrifying burglary has admitted twice illegally carrying knives.

Darren Lee Beattie, 43, who was also caught carrying dozens of tranquilliser pills for which he did not have a prescription, said he decided to carry a knife “for protection” on the two occasions when police caught him.

He admitted both offences – the first on May 16 last year, when he was also found to be carrying 76 diazepam tablets, and the second on October 10.

Prosecutor Isabella Denn-White said the May offence came to light when police found the defendant walking along Eastern Way, Carlisle, just after 5pm. When the officers searched him, they found a Stanley knife in his jacket pocket.

They also found the class C pills, each worth £1.

On the second occasion, police searched the defendant after finding him “staggering” and struggling to walk on a residential Carlisle street. He told the officers that he had been to see a friend.

Once again, when he was searched, Beattie was found to be carrying a lock-knife in a pocket. Miss Denn-White said his criminal record contained 24 previous offences, but none of those were committed during the last decade.

Marion Weir, defending, told Recorder Brian Whitehead: “In his pre-sentence report, there is mention that in February last year he was the victim of an aggravated burglary in his own home. He had a screwdriver held to his neck and a hammer held to his temple.

“That investigation is continuing.”

That incident had impacted on Beattie’s mental health and as recently as last month the defendant had made an attempt on his own life, said Miss Weir.

Beattie, , of Edward Street, Carlisle, who was supported in court by his sister, was also affected by grief following a death in the family.

Miss Weir referred also to an assault which Beattie suffered in 2001 when he was attacked by attackers wielding baseball bats. That left him with facial fractures.

The barrister added: “He understands and appreciates that carrying knives in May and October was unwise and unlawful. The reason was for his own protection, and he appreciates now that it’s not a reasonable defence or excuse.”

Recorder Whitehead imposed 20-weeks jail but suspended that term for a year. He told the defendant: “There's nothing to suggest that you are a risk or danger to the public and you have a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.”

The sentence includes 20 rehabilitation activity days. There was no financial penalty.