A SAILING instructor caught with a knife had to face Island magistrates for possessing an offensive weapon.

Jack Rinaldi, 26, of Clarendon Road, Shanklin, pleaded guilty last Friday to possessing an offensive weapon in public and possession of cannabis.

Prosecutor Ann Smout said: "Police officers approached his vehicle and noticed the smell of cannabis coming from the car.

"He was fully co-operative and handed the cannabis over to police, but as officers searched the car they found a small knife inside a zipped-up bag.

"This was nothing approaching a dangerous situation, however."

Oscar Vincent, for Rinaldi, said: "The police stopped his vehicle for an entirely unrelated matter.

"The knife found in that small zipped-up bag was used in his capacity as a qualified sailing instructor.

"It wasn't brandished, it wasn't even visible to any member of the public."

Magistrates gave Rinaldi a 12-month community order to include 15 rehabilitation days.

He was also ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a surcharge of £90.