Sunderland camper lands himself in court for possessing zombie-style knife
A keen Sunderland camper has been hauled into court for buying a knife to use on his travels which proved illegal – even in the great indoors.
Ryan Atherton, 25, bought the zombie-style weapon online and intended to use it when he headed out into the countryside.
But it was found by police investigating another matter who searched the home he shares with his grandmother in Peasemore Road, South Hylton, on Friday, April 17.
His solicitor told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court Atherton’s purchase was done through ignorance of the law, and was not criminally motivated.
Atherton pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of an offensive weapon in a private place – and he was fined and had the knife confiscated.
Prosecutor Yetunde Alake said: “The facts of the case are that the police had received a call. They attended the defendant’s address.
“They carried out a search of the property and found a zombie-style knife in the house.
“He has no previous convictions and loses his good character today.”
Angus Westgarth, defending, said: “He’s into camping big style. He bought this knife online and would have used it for camping.
“I think it was ignorance rather than any attempt to break the law. He cares for his grandmother with whom he has lived with for 23 years.”
District Judge Zoe Passfield fined Atherton £120, with £85 court costs and a £48 victim surcharge. She also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the weapon.
She told him: “I give you credit for your guilty plea and you’ve no previous convictions, but if you enjoy camping and use a knife, it means you need to know the law.
“There are knives you can have in the house, and those you can’t have for camping.”
Zombie-style knives and machetes are strictly illegal to possess, sell, manufacture, or import in the UK.
Under changes to the Criminal Justice Act 1988, owning these items even in a private home is a criminal offence, and can carry a prison sentence of up to two years