A DRUG user who carried a lock knife with him as protection after suffering a brutal assault has been fined after admitting possessing an offensive weapon.

Police searched Lee Alfred Clarkson after they saw him drop litter in the street in Shildon on July 8, magistrates in Newton Aycliffe were told.

Prosecutor Joanne Hesse said officers found a lock knife in the pocket of his tracksuit trousers and a bag of white paste, later confirmed to be amphetamine, in his hooded top.

The court heard Clarkson has no previous convictions but has received cautions in the past including for possessing amphetamine.

The 31-year-old of Sunnydale in Shildon pleaded guilty to possessing a knife and a Class B drug.

Callum Terry in mitigation said Clarkson carried the knife for self defence but it was never removed from his pocket.

He said Clarkson suffered a brutal attack a while ago in which he suffered fractures to his face and feared losing the sight in his eye.

Mr Terry said it had been a contract beating with the attacker being jailed for seven years.

As well as the fine, Clarkson was also ordered to pay £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

Magistrates also gave him a 12 month conditional discharge for the drug possession.