A masked teenager has been fined after he was found wandering a Tyneside street armed with a knife.
Daniel Kirk came to the attention of a passing officer because he was wearing dark clothing and had his face completely covered with a grey mask. A court heard that the 18-year-old was stopped by the constable and confessed to be carrying a blade when he was told he was going to be searched, a court was told.
Kirk, of Bondfield Gardens, in Wardley, Gateshead, was arrested but claimed he had the knife to relieve stress by "whittling wood". The teenager has now been fined £120 after he pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article. He must also pay £40 costs and a £48 victim surcharge.
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Liz McGowan, prosecuting at Newcastle Magistrates' Court, said Kirk was walking down Rodsley Street, in Saltwell, Gateshead, at around 10.30pm on October 10 when he was spotted by an on-duty police officer. Mrs McGowan continued: "The officer saw the defendant wearing dark clothing and he had a grey mask on, which covered the whole of his face.
"That drew the officer's attention to him. The officer goes over to the defendant and says he's going to search him. At that point, the defendant said he had a silver knife and handed it to the officer."
The court heard that the lock knife had a 3inch blade, which was immediately seized as Kirk was arrested. In interview, he said he was using the weapon to carve into wood and logs as a way to relieve stress. Mrs McGowan added: "The defendant said he was going to use the knife for whittling.
"He said he brought the knife out that night as he was "not in the right head space" and was going to find something that he could whittle." Jack Lovell, defending, reiterated Kirk's excuse for having the blade, saying he was going to use it to carve into wood.
Mr Lovell told magistrates: "He was a youth at the time. The offence dates back to October 2022 and he subsequently turned 18 since. He's got no previous convictions or any other dealings with the police. He lives with his parents and has recently been diagnosed with autism."
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