Balaclava-clad South Shields man armed with kitchen knife facing jail for drugs trip

A Balaclava-clad South Tyneside man who armed himself with a kitchen knife when he went to buy cannabis is facing jail.

Alan Thompson, 35, made his move for the prohibited class B drug after first boozing to settle himself after his brother was attacked, a court heard.

But police were alerted and confronted Thompson, of Imeary Street, near Westoe, South Shields, in the early evening of Friday, June 26.

He gave his details before fleeing on foot but was caught and arrested after a chase, prosecutor Mariam Odetoro said.

Confessed to having the knife for ‘self defence’

Thompson confessed at the scene to having the knife and later claimed it was for self-defence and no other reason - and he also had two bags of cannabis.

It was the second time he had been caught in public with an offensive weapon, making him liable to a minimum six-month jail term.

Ms Odetoro told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court: “Officers attended the Chichester Road area, following reports of a male in possession of a knife.

“He was the defendant and had on black clothes and a Balaclava covering his face.

“At 6.09pm in West Stevenson Street, he was found by police. He was wearing a Balaclava, which he then removed from his face.

“He provided his details, before fleeing, and had to be pursued and he was found near a garage block.

“When he was being detained, he revealed that he had an item in his trousers. A search also revealed two bags of cannabis.

“This is the defendant’s second conviction for an offensive weapon.”

Thompson pleaded guilty to charges of possession of cannabis and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

Emily Baker Harrington, defending, said: “He was under the influence at the time.

‘Brother badly assaulted’ with a ‘bleed on the brain’

“His brother had been quite badly assaulted and ended up in hospital with a bleed on the brain.

“He turned to alcohol and because he had had a drink, he decided to get some cannabis.

“He made the stupid decision to take the knife with him. It was in case anyone attacked him.

“He didn’t intend to use it and does recognise the dangers of having it with him.”

District Judge Zoe Passfield adjourned the case for reports and granted Thompson unconditional bail to be sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, August 4.

She told him: “You will be given full credit for your guilty plea, but this is your second possession of an offensive weapon or bladed article, so is six months custody.”