A MAN who left a knuckleduster and drugs at a busy Ryde bar has been given a suspended sentence.

Edward Lale, of New Street, Newport, appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, where he admitted possession of an offensive weapon in public, possession of cannabis and using threatening words and behaviour.

The court heard Lale, 26, had arrived with friends at the Marine Bar, Ryde Esplanade, at around 9pm on May 13. They were later ejected after becoming too drunk.

Lale left a bag behind and, when staff looked inside to find out who it belonged to, they discovered a knuckleduster and a small quantity of cannabis.

Prosecutor Ann Smout said: "Lale later returned to the bar and began demanding the bag back from staff. They refused, as they had called the police."

The court heard Lale told staff: "If I don't get my bag back, it won't be me you have to worry about."

Oscar Vincent, defending, said the knuckle duster did not belong to Lale and he was holding onto it for a friend.

Mr Vincent said: "Mr Lale's friend, on his night out, had asked if he could store his knuckleduster in Mr Lale's bag. He by no means intended to go out with them.

"It wasn't until he got home that he realised he had left the bag at the bar. He simply went back to retrieve it.

"Before this point, Lale's evening had passed entirely without incident and when they were asked to leave the bar they did so."

Magistrates heard Lale had a previous conviction for causing grievous bodily harm, from July last year.

Lale received an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for one year.

He was also ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a surcharge of £115.

 

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