A MAN armed himself with a knife after his girlfriend was assaulted, a court heard.
Gary Cornelly, of Lonsbrough Flats, Southgate, admitted a charge of possession of a bladed article in a public place.
Kirklees magistrates yesterday warned him that they were considering all sentencing options, including custody.
The bench heard how a security guard working at the block of flats was approached by Cornelly at 11.30pm on December 5.
Vanessa Schofield, prosecuting, said that the 35-year-old knocked on the guard’s office door.
Ms Schofield said: “He noticed that Mr Cornelly had a kitchen knife in one of his hands.
“He (Cornelly) asked if there were some lads hanging about and said that his girlfriend had been assaulted.”
Magistrates were told that Cornelly believed that the men responsible for the attack lived in the flats.
The security guard let Cornelly in and police were called to the fifth floor of Lonsbrough flats.
Ms Schofield said: “They heard shouting and saw Mr Cornelly reach out behind the flat door.
“They restrained him and found a knife on the floor.”
Cornelly admitted possession of the kitchen knife, which had an eight-inch blade.
In interview he explained that his girlfriend had been beaten up and was in a bad way.
He claimed that he picked up the knife for his own protection and hadn’t made any threats with it.
Cornelly said: “It’s an offence, I’m sorry. When I saw Helen I was upset.”
Magistrates were told that Cornelly’s last conviction was in August when he breached a community order.
In mitigation Bob Carr said that although his client had an extensive record, his last conviction for violence was in 1998.
He said that Cornelly had no propensity for violence but had felt compelled to arm himself under the circumstances.
Magistrates adjourned sentencing until January 14 so that a full report can be prepared.
