A CARLISLE man found in possession of a knife and a class A drug has been sentenced.

Graeme Armstrong, 31, of Stonegarth, Morton, appeared at Carlisle Crown Court yesterday having admitted being in possession of a bladed article and a second charge of being in possession of cocaine.

The court heard police were called to an incident in Bank Street, in the city centre, on February 25 and stopped Armstrong’s Transit van as part of inquiries.

Prosecutor Jane Dagnall said the vehicle was searched and police seized a folding knife from a driver’s side compartment. A wrap of cocaine was found in a wallet on the driver’s side of the dashboard.

During police interview she said Armstrong admitted the knife was his and he had it for when hunting rabbits. The prosecutor said Armstrong told police he saw the wrap of drugs when getting into his van with his son, put it in his wallet to dispose of it and forgot about it.

Defence lawyer Brendan Burke said the defendant was in possession of a knife due to his work as a landscaper and paver - along with an axe, though this was not subject to the charge.

Mr Burke said Armstrong had a “lax attitude to things lying around in his van, rather than carrying them around with any intent to use them unlawfully.”

He added that while the defendant had previous convictions, which date back to before 2016 and did not include knife crime, he had adopted responsibilities of growing a business and providing for his family.

“He is man who suffers from serious health problems and continues to do so,” said Mr Burke.

“Those health problems, combined with the pandemic, put an end to his growing business.”

The judge, His Honour Nicholas Barker, gave Armstrong an 18-month community sentence, including a three-month curfew where he must remain at home between 7pm and 6am.

He also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and knife.