A FATHER armed himself with a pool cue because he feared being attacked, a court heard.
John Lennon, of Hillhouse Lane in Fartown, was sentenced to a community order by magistrates yesterday.
The bench had heard how the 45-year-old was arrested after police found a pool cue and kitchen knife on him in the early hours of August 13.
Magistrates were told that Lennon, 45, was stopped at 1am on Hillhouse Lane by two officers on duty.
The police officers felt Lennon was acting in a strange manner and saw that he was holding part of a pool cue behind him.
He was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon in public and the knife was also found.
Mike Sisson-Pell, defending, described the offence as a ‘one off’.
He explained that the laptop of Lennon’s daughter had been stolen and he had gone to get it back.
Mr Sisson-Pell said: “The person who took it is someone unpredictable and well-known by this court.
“When he (Lennon) went to try and retrieve the laptop he thought it prudent to prepare himself in case he was attacked.
“It was a serious mistake and he’s going to have to pay.
“He had no intention of producing this cue or knife, he took them just in case he was attacked with weapons.
“He should have left it to the police but there was no harm done.”
Magistrates sentenced Lennon to a community order as a ‘direct alternative’ to custody.
The order runs for six months and includes an electronically monitored curfew order between the hours of 7am and 7pm. Lennon was also ordered to complete a six-month alcohol treatment programme.
