A PENRITH man seen brandishing a knife in a communal court yard was attempting to defend his partner, a court heard.

Ashley Fry, 36, committed the offence of illegally possessing the knife in a public place, the courtyard at Arnison Court where he had been living, Carlisle’s Rickergate Magistrates’ Court was told.

He pleaded guilty to the offence, accepting that he had no lawful excuse for having the weapon in a public place.

Prosecutor George Shelley said the police were called after the defendant was seen with the knife on July 17. It was essentially a bread-knife and had a blade that was five to eight inches long, said Mr Shelley.

The court heard that Arnison Court is a flats complex, which is served by the communal courtyard where the defendant was seen with the knife. Witnesses told police that they had heard an argument between residents, including Fry.

He then left the scene.

Police who arrived after this incident searched the defendant’s home and located a knife matching the description of the one that was seen in the courtyard. Despite having more than 50 previous offences on his criminal record, Fry had no previous knife-related convictions on his record, the court heard.

Andrew Gurney, defending, said Fry had been living with his father and there had been trouble between some people who live in the area and the man who was his girlfriend’s ex-partner.

She had been threatened with broken bottles and knives, said the lawyer. “She was terrified for her life but too scared to go to the police,” said Mr Gurney.

“She feared she would be killed if she did talk to the authorities.” Her door had been kicked numerous times during the night as those people attempted to get her and the defendant to come outside.

When Fry had gone outside to remonstrate with these men, he was threatened and so he went back into his property and armed himself with a bread knife.

Magistrates said they felt they needed a background report about Fry before they could pass sentence. Mr Gurney said Fry would be able to live with a relative in Penrith while the Probation Service prepared the report.

Magistrates granted him bail and he will be sentenced on August 11. His bail conditions include a requirement to stay away from Arnison Court.