A MAN who claimed he was carrying a lock knife for protection has been given a suspended prison sentence after he was caught with the weapon in Great Moor Street, Bolton, on January 30.

Daniel Bentley, aged 20, of St Helens Road, Bolton, pleased guilty to having a knife in public and was told the only reason he was not being jailed immediately is because he has no previous convictions.

At Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court, Bentley was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 12 months.

He must do 150 hours of unpaid work and participate in 10 days of rehabilitation activities as well and paying £180 in costs and charges.

Magistrates told him: “This is an extremely serious offence.

“You were armed with a lock knife in Bolton town centre with the blade locked open.

“You indicated that this was for your own protection and that is a situation which has the potential to be life-threatening if you were ever called upon to react in such a situation.

“These are extremely dangerous circumstances and the only reason that you are not going to is that you have no previous convictions of any description.”