A CARLISLE woman who had stayed out of trouble for more than a decade was prosecuted after police searched her and found a knuckleduster.

Donna-Marie Beattie, 35, initially claimed she had no idea why the weapon was in the inside pocket of her denim jacket – but she later admitted the knuckleduster belonged to her former partner.

Her lawyer told the city’s Rickergate court that when she was caught she was attempting to dispose of the knuckleduster after her ex-partner was jailed.

Beattie, of Sybil Street, Carlisle, admitted illegally possessing the weapon in a public place with no reasonable excuse on May 15.

George Shelley, prosecuting, said the offence was discovered when police arrived at Raven Nook in Carlisle and saw Beattie and two men leaving the property. They had been called out to deal with an unrelated issue.

“All three people were detained and searched,” said Mr Shelley.

After the knuckleduster was found, Beattie denied possessing it, saying she did not know how it came to be in her pocket.

“But she has followed this today with her guilty plea,” said Mr Shelley, outlining how the defendant had committed any offences since 2012.

Anthony Wilson, defending, said the knuckleduster belonged to the defendant’s former partner, who was sent to prison. “She had taken this item with the intention of getting rid of it but then the police saw her there and searched her.

“The police were investigating what they thought was a burglary but no charges came from that. She hasn’t been in trouble since 2012.”

A probation officer who spoke to Beattie said she had reported having a diagnosis of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), for which she had undergone counselling. She was also coping with depression and anxiety.

Noting that the defendant had committed no offences since 2012, the officer said Beattie had “criminogenic” needs, and no issues with drugs or alcohol were reported.

Magistrates said it was a shame the defendant found herself back in court after so long and imposed a community order that incudes 80 hours of unpaid work.

She must pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.