A MAN is facing ten months behind bars after being found with a Stanley knife hours after new “two strike” laws came into effect.

Jonathon Adcock, of Windsor Terrace, Shildon, County Durham, pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed knife in a public place after a knife was found in his pocket when he was arrested in the early hours of July 18.

Harsher penalties were introduced for people carrying knives on July 17 this year, with a minimum six-month prison sentence for anyone convicted of the offence twice.

Adcock, 24, was arrested after police were called at 5.45am to an argument between him and his sister’s boyfriend.

Penny Bottomley, prosecuting, told the court he had previous convictions for carrying a knife in March 2006 and November 2010.

Ben Pegman, mitigating said: “The pity of it is at this time in his life he is doing quite well.”

Judge Christopher Prince said: “It didn’t hurt anyone, but that’s not the point. When people carry knives there is always the potential for other persons or the person carrying the knife to be injured seriously or fatally.

“You will have heard that lecture twice, but you have chosen to ignore it.”

Adcock was given a ten-month prison sentence and told to pay the criminal court charge of £180.