Man took six-inch knife to court '“ then claimed it was to cook a meal at a friend's house

Ronald Roke, 50, claims he had the kitchen knife in an inside pocket because his electric had gone off and he had gone to his friend’s house to cook a meal.

While there, he said he had suffered a fall that required hospital treatment, but he had forgotten the knife was tucked inside his clothing, the court heard.

Prosecutor John McGlone said the incident occurred at 1.50pm on February 2, as Roke tried to pass through security on the first floor of the court.

Having been asked to empty his pockets, Roke walked through the security arch. Mr McGlone said: “An alarm sounded and the security officer used his hand-held metal detector, which indicated something metallic in his chest area.

“He is asked again to empty his pockets and he’s produced, from his pocket, a six-inch kitchen knife.

“Police attended Sunderland Magistrates’ Court and waited until he had been released from the court and was walking out of court and arrested him.”

Roke, of Riverside Terrace, Eden Vale, Sunderland, admitted possession of a bladed article in a public place.

Gerry Armstrong, defending, said: “Mr Roke came to court on February 2 for a public order offence.

“As he was going through the arch, he emptied his pockets of all that he believed he had.

“On closer supervision by the security guard, they found a knife in his inside pocket, which was taken off him.

“He was dealt with, he went to the police station and was released within two hours. Some weeks before the appearance at court, his electric had gone off.

“He had gone to live with a friend and had taken some items with him, one being this knife to cook with while he was there.

“He had a fall and was hospitalised and he found he still had the knife.

“There is no suggestion anyone was put in danger or anyone was threatened by him.”

Roke will be sentenced on March 8.