Man standing at bus stop had a knife

When police spoke to a man at a bus stop in Banbridge he informed them he was carrying a hunting knife in his luggage.
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Leigh Smyth (21), St Mary’s Terrace, Ballina, County Mayo, was sentenced to three months in prison for possession of a knife on November 28 last year.

A concurrent one month term was imposed for obstructing a constable.

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Banbridge Magistrates Court heard last Thursday that just before midnight police were tasked to Prospect Terrace in Banbridge and the defendant was located at a nearby bus stop. He said he had a hunting knife in the front pocket of luggage he had with him. The knife had a two and a half inch blade.

Smyth gave false details to police and it was only through fingerprints that his identity was revealed. He said that he was in the process of moving and he had inherited the knife from a relative.

A barrister representing the defendant said he was originally from west Belfast but had gone to stay with his extended family in Ballina.

He explained that on this occasion Smyth was returning to Belfast to stay with his family over Christmas and had stopped in Banbridge to see a friend.

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The lawyer added that the defendant had been drinking in a house when a fight started and he removed himself. He was guided by people to the bus stop.

He added that Smyth volunteered to police he had the hunting knife in his suitcase. The court also heard Smyth was a serving prisoner with a release date of February 16 next year. The judge issued a destruction order for the knife.

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