Suspended sentence for man who had flick knife in Spalding pub

A man who was found with a flick knife in a Spalding pub has been given a 12-week suspended sentence.

Lewis Markham told magistrates in Boston on Wednesday that his mental health had been suffering and the knife was to self-harm.

“I was only intending to harm myself with that knife. I had no intention of hurting anyone else,” he said.

The 21-year-old, of Bowgate, Gosberton, was back before the court for sentencing having previously pleaded guilty to having a knife in a public place – The Lincolnshire Poacher in Double Street – on March 22.

Prosecutor Alison McIlroy said the knife, with a 9cm blade, fell out of his jacket as he was being arrested.

“Mr Markham said someone had made him take the knife. It seems there might be some sort of issue underlying this matter.

“There’s no suggestion he threatened anybody with the knife,” she added.

Markham told the bench that getting help and going to meetings was difficult because of his anxiety and he had no one to go with.

The suspended sentence was imposed for 12 months.

He was ordered to pay £154 victim surcharge and £85 costs