Sunderland man, 56, caught with knife in Roker Park after release from prison for previous blade offence

Andrew Thorpe, 56, of Wilfred Street, Sunderland, told police he had been out trying to land a big catch with his fisherman brother-in-law.

He also insisted he was in bushes to shelter from rain in Roker Park at 8.45pm on Tuesday, July 14, magistrates in South Tyneside heard.

They spared him an extended spell behind bars – despite it being his second recent conviction for carrying a blade in public.

The court was told jobless Thorpe was jailed for 24 weeks in April for being in possession of a craft knife in a public place.

Thorpe committed the repeat offence shortly after his release and had been kept in prison on remand since.

He has now been handed a 23-week jail term, suspended for 18 months – but was told the 3.5in blade would be confiscated and destroyed.

Prosecutor Jeff Taylor told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court: “Police officers received information about a male in Roker Park.

“Mr Thorpe is found in the area of the bushes. When asked if he had anything on him, he indicated to his back pocket.

“The officers found a small black knife with a blade of between 3in and 3.5in. This is a second knife offence.”

Thorpe had also caused £20 of damage to a TV cabinet door while he was staying at Sunderland’s Grand Hotel on Friday, July 10.

Dave Parish, defending, said: “The situation is that your colleagues sent him to prison in April. Since coming out, he’s been homeless.

“He had found the knife and had used it as a tool and had used it earlier that day when he had gone fishing.

“He says that he shouldn’t have had it on him when he was stopped.

“It’s correct that he’s been in bushes when found by the police. There’s no untoward motivation for that.

“He was homeless and it was raining, that's the only reason he was in the bushes.”

Thorpe, who pleaded guilty to carrying a blade and causing criminal damage, must pay a £128 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

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