Whiteleas man brandishes knuckle duster 'gift' he says was for 'self defence'
Whiteleas man arrested for pulling a knuckle duster from his jacket - court hands down punishment.
A South Tyneside man with a dog was arrested after pulling from his jacket pocket an illegal knuckle duster he used for self-defence but had forgotten was there, a court heard.
Christopher Gosling, 58, was spotted with the weapon in the Whiteleas area by a member of the public who called police on Tuesday, June 9.
Gosling, of Moreland Road, also Whiteleas, later told officers it was gifted to him by a friend a week earlier.
Borough magistrates have now ordered its confiscation and destruction after he pleaded guilty to a possession of an offensive weapon charge.
Prosecutor Paul Coulson said: “Police received a report related to some sort of public order matter.
“It was noted that a male in an army style-jacket, and with a dog, had pulled out a knuckle duster that was in his pocket.
“It was also said that he had an air rifle but there was no substance to that. He handed the knuckle duster to police, and a bottle of steroids.
“He spoke to the police and indicated that he carried the knuckle duster around for self-defence purposes.
“He was arrested and interviewed and in interview he did provide a prepared statement.
‘Forgotten it was was in his pocket’
“He said that the knuckle duster had been given to him by a friend a week ago and he had forgotten that it was in his pocket.”
Gosling pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.
The court heard he has 13 previous convictions from 24 offences, the last being in 2020 for failing to surrender to custody.
But David Forrester, defending, told magistrates Gosling's last more serious offence was in 2016 and before that 2002, adding: “That is a quarter of a century.
“He’s got a bit old for this, really. He was a bit drunk, and he shouldn't have had the knuckle duster.
‘He gets credit for his guilty plea. There doesn’t appear to be anything of a criminogenic nature.”
Magistrates sentenced Gosling to a 12-month community order, with 15 rehabilitation days, which will provide him with support around alcohol and mental health.
They also fined him £40, with a £114 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.