Martial arts man Nirmal Santoa found in street with sword

Jun 3 2010 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A MARTIAL arts fan spotted in a street with a sword claimed he had forgotten to leave the weapon at home before searching for his dog.

Nirmal Santoa, of Spring Grove, Springwood, was found on Prospect Street, holding a samurai sword, Huddersfield magistrates heard yesterday.

The court heard that martial arts fan Santoa, 62, was practising his sword skills in his garden at 2.15am on May 22 when he noticed his large Akita dog had escaped.

Profoundly deaf Santoa went out, sword in hand, to find the animal.

A motorist spotted the dog loose in the street and called the police before being approached by Santoa, who was holding the weapon.

The court heard Santoa. mumbled something to the driver, sheathed the sword in its scabbard and went home.

A black handled Japanese style sword was later confiscated by police from Santoa’s home.