A potential term of imprisonment looms for an Isle of Wight man caught with a pushchair containing a lock knife, catapult and archery arrows.

Leon Carr, of Mitchell Avenue, Ventnor, appeared before Isle of Wight magistrates on Tuesday, May 14.

The 43-year-old admitted possession of an offensive weapon in public, namely a locking knife, in Newport, on April 24.

Prosecutor, Lauren Stone, said a warrant had been issued after Carr failed to appear in court on Friday, May 10.

A member of the public had raised concerns over an intoxicated male with a pushchair containing archery arrows coming out of the Prince of Wales public house on South Street.  

Ms Stone said he had a valid reason for having most of the items in his pushchair, including a catapult and arrows, but not for a lock knife.

Oscar Vincent, defending, said Carr – with 27 previous convictions for 55 offences – was last in court six years ago.

He said Carr is a former heroin addict who has been clean for more than two years.

Mr Vincent said he purchased the items in his pushchair on the same day for the purposes of pest control, including the lock knife, which he described as small.

The court heard Carr was not carrying the blade for self-protection and it was not brandished or used to cause fear.

Carr saw his case adjourned to July 5.

He was granted conditional bail and magistrates ordered that a pre-sentence report be drawn up.