Police were called to Trinity Square, in Nottingham city centre, over a man holding a knife as he swigged from a can of beer. Louis Bruce was described by members of the public as being aggressive just after 5pm on Friday, June 4, last year.
Nottingham Crown Court heard Bruce handed the knife to another man, saying "If police are here for me, take this and leave". Police found both men separately.
The knife was recovered from the other man who had the blade in his pocket. He said Bruce had handed the knife to him. But the defendant, Bruce, initially denied having the knife. But Bruce now accepts the knife was his and he gave it to the other man, the court was told on Friday (September 9).
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Bruce, 25, of Crammond Close, The Meadows, went on to plead guilty to possessing a bladed article in a public place and was given a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He was ordered to complete unpaid work of 80 hours.
Recorder Balraj Bhatia QC told Bruce: "You also owe an apology to [the other man]." Bruce replied from the dock: "Yes I do." Matthew Smith, mitigating, said Bruce had some difficulties, effectively over a debt that was owed.
He was carrying the knife for his own protection, the court was told. "He has thought long and hard about his actions that night," added Mr Smith.
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