Fruity explanation for knife possession

Saturday 07 April 2018

A man has been given 120 hours community service after he was found in possession of a kitchen knife with a four and three quarter inch blade in a public place.

Gideon Bolt, 33, was stopped and searched whilst out driving in his car on 20 February 2018 at 21:45. The black handled kitchen knife was subsequently found in the driver's side of the vehicle.

Putting forward the defence, Advocate Roffey said that his client was unaware it was an offence to carry a knife in his vehicle. He explained that everyone is aware you cannot walk down the street with a knife, but Bolt did not know keeping the knife in his car would be punishable by law. He continued stating that Bolt had kept the knife in the boot of his car for cutting up grapefruit and had moved the knife to the driver's side of his car the previous day with the plan to take the item inside.

Judge McKerrell interjected and questioning that explanation, he said: "A grapefruit sounds an odd explanation, if eating grapefruits was something he did habitually then why did he think to take the knife back inside?"

Advocate Roffey stated that Bolt used his car for work purposes as a delivery driver, and as such the vehicle was his office where he would eat, and he certainly didn't believe he had done anything wrong. He continued by reminding the court that there was no evidence that the knife was to be used in a sinister way and that although Bolt had a criminal record for previous offences, none had been for violence. Advocate Roffey concluded that Bolt had fully cooperated with the search, his subsequent arrest and admitted from the outset that it was his knife. His reason for having the knife had remained consistent despite continued queries about cutting grapefruit.

The court was further told that Bolt had been living in the UK until 2011, where he had experienced life difficulties and been blighted by homelessness. As such he had received a number of orders against him and a number had been breached. He had also been in prison in the UK and it was following his release from custody in 2011 that he returned to the island to make a fresh start. 

In summing up Judge McKerrell said: "I give you credit for your guilty plea but I cannot give credit for previous good character as that is not the case, however I do recognise there is no violence in your record and it is some years since a serious offence. I take full account of the character letters, the probation report and mitigation skilfully put forward by Advocate Roffey."

"However, I struggle to accept the explanation given that a grapefruit is only suitable for consumption in the way you described. Even if your fanciful explanation is true then why did you move the knife from the boot to the front of the car and not take it inside. This would make any court think it was there for a reason and easy to get, if needed."

In sentencing Judge McKerrell said: "Such crimes are not treated lightly."

Bolt was given 120 hours community service as a direct alternative to five months in prison. Judge McKerrell reminded Bolt that failure to complete the community service would result in him returning to court and going to prison for the full five months.