A POTENTIAL term of imprisonment looms for an Isle of Wight man caught with a craft knife in the middle of a road.

Jayden Dewhurst, of Hunnyhill, Newport, appeared before Isle of Wight magistrates on Tuesday, March 2.

The 18-year-old admitted possession of a knife in a public place, in Newport, on March 18.

Prosecutor, Liz Miller, said police received a report of a male causing an issue in Newport, on Angelica Grove, at around 2pm.

She said the male – Dewhurst – was heavily in drink, out in the road, and in possession of a craft knife.

The court heard a police officer with a dog gave him clear instructions to drop the knife and he did.

Ms Miller said Dewhurst had blood on his arms, but had cut himself, and no one else was injured.

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The court heard he had already been made subject of a community order at the time of the incident, and it was not his first offensive weapon charge. 

Michael McGoldrick, defending, said there was no witness statement to say a disturbance led to police being called, and it was not clear who contacted the force.

He said Dewhurst did not threaten anyone, and the significant injury to his hand, he caused himself.

The court heard Dewhurst, who was dealing with the death of a close friend two months prior, would benefit from a detailed pre-sentence report.

Mr McGoldrick said the incident and the preceding seven days were a blank to Dewhurst, who may have been experiencing drug-induced psychosis, and did not even recognise the knife.

The case was adjourned to May 17 at the same venue, and he was granted unconditional bail until that date.

Magistrates ordered for a pre-sentence report be drawn up.