A drug user was caught carrying a knuckle-duster and a bracelet with a concealed blade.

Peter Edgar, 51, described by his barrister as a “wretched” individual who was routinely exploited by other people, was caught in Workington town centre carrying a knuckle-duster and a bracelet with a concealed one inch blade.

At Carlisle Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to two charges of carrying weapons in a public place – a bladed article and the knuckle-duster.

The defendant, of Corporation Road, Workington, also admitted five drugs offences committed on two separate days.

Four of these related to him carrying class C drugs – diazepam and gabapentin, while the fifth offence related to a small amount of heroin.

Prosecutor Gerard Rogerson outlined how Edgar committed the first offences on November 10 last year.

Police stopped and searched after a member of the public got in touch to report two men were apparently drunk and disorderly in Workington town centre.

It was on that occasion when police found the defendant was carrying the knuckle-duster and the bracelet with a concealed blade. He also had with him 33 gabapentin tablets and five diazepam pills.

Edgar committed the second set of offences on November 15.

Police were told that two men had been seen acting suspiciously in Oxford Street, Workington. Officers found the defendant crouching behind a car. He was carrying 21 gabapentin tablets and 25 diazepam pills.

Outlining Edgar’s criminal history, Mr Rogerson said he had 39 offences on his record, including previous convictions for carrying weapons.

Brendan Burke, for Edgar, said the defendant had a long history of drugs misuse. “He presents as something of a wretched character – perhaps needy,” said the barrister.

This had led to the defendant being exploited at his increasingly derelict family home. Edgar also had genuine health problems, said the barrister, and he had used drugs as a form of self-medication.

Jailing the defendant for 12 months, Judge Peter Davies said: “Blades in Cumbria will not be tolerated. I don’t care whether they are one inch or nine inches…

"When someone goes out with a concealed blade they carry with them a risk that they will cause serious injury to others and that will not be tolerated.”

Edgar's address was previously listed on court papers as Park End Road, Workington.