Man spared jail for carrying knife at South Shields hospital after claiming it was for camping trip

Terence Kennedy had a seven inch lock knife in his trouser pocket when he was searched by police at South Tyneside District Hospital over an unrelated incident on May 17 last year.

The 44-year-old told officers he was carrying the knife "because he had been planning on going camping".

At Newcastle Crown Court, Kennedy, of Marshall Wallis Road, South Shields, pleaded guilty to having an offensive weapon in a public place.

Mr Recorder Carl Gumsley questioned when the last time was that Kennedy, who walked with a crutch and has health problems, had gone camping but said he would avoid asking him about his "expeditions".

The judge said he had "suspicions" about the camping explanation and warned having a knife in public is "utterly unacceptable".

He added: "You only have to turn the television on to see what is happening on the streets of this country now.

"Young people are losing their lives for no reason other than people are stupid enough to think that taking a knife out is going to either protect them or to be used aggressively."

The judge warned: "The problem is, if people wander around the streets with knives, even if they don't intend to use them, they may get into a situation where they do."

Penny Hall, defending, said Kennedy has health problems himself and cares for his father, who is also unwell.

Miss Hall added: "It was in a hospital but no-one present knew about it.

“There's no suggestion he used the knife or brandished it, no-one would have known he had it had it not been for the police attendance.

"He accepts he had it on his person."

The court heard Kennedy has previous offences on his record but none for carrying weapons and has been out of trouble for the last four years.

Kennedy, was sentenced to a 12 month jail term that was suspended for 12 months, with rehabilitation requirements.