A MAN found in possession of a 'bladed knuckle-duster' in Upper Wharfedale has escaped an immediate prison sentence.

Daniel Brayshaw, 23, was in a car with two other people which was stopped by officers in Starbotton on June 22, heard Skipton Magistrates Court today.

The officers were in the area after receiving reports of a quad bike theft in the Kettlewell area.

The court heard Brayshaw was known to the police who stopped the vehicle and carried out a search. In a door pocket of the vehicle they found a knuckle duster with an integrated knife, the court was told.

Brayshaw, from Skipton, was arrested and taken to Harrogate Police Station where he described the weapon as a reef knife.

In court, Brayshaw, who admitted possession of a bladed article in a public place, had four previous convictions for 12 offences, but of a dissimilar nature.

A pre-sentence report revealed he was aware the knife was illegal, that such weapons were potentially dangerous and could be used in organised crime. He however had used it while working on farms to cut plastic silage wrapping.

A factory worker and labourer he was also a regular cannabis user, spending around £10 a day on the drug.

Brayshaw, of Cowper Street, Skipton, was told by magistrates he had come very close to being sent to prison. His sentence was reduced from nine months in custody to six because of his guilty plea and will be suspended for 18 months.

He will have to carry out 200 hours unpaid work and complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He will also have to pay a surcharge of £154 and costs of £85. A forfeiture and destruction notice was made on the knife.

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