A YOUNG offender with a ‘morbid interest’ in weapons has been warned he is facing a bleak future after being caught carrying two hunting knives.

Kai McNeil was found to have the weapons hanging around his neck when police pulled over a VW Polo in connection with reports of kidnap and robbery.

When officers searched the occupants of the car they discovered McNeil’s two weapons and he was arrested, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The judge heard how the 20-year-old had appeared in court after he was caught carrying a ‘Zombie slayer sword’ and a Samurai sword.

Judge Timothy Stead raised concerns about the defendant being caught repeatedly carrying weapons and how custodial sentences had failed to deter him.

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He said: “You have been found yet again in possession of bladed articles and this time there was two, I have seen photographs and they are fairly big knives and they most certainly could cause considerable harm to people if deployed.

“At best, it could be said you have a fascination with weapons, at worst it could be said you have a morbid interest in them and that certainly raises concerns about you and the general safety of the public in future.

“The most worrying aspect of this case is that you repeatedly appeared for possession of bladed articles and custodial sentences don’t appear to have done anything at all to deter you.”

The judge added: “You are in for a very bleak future if you continue to have a fascination with weapons and taking them into a public place – only you can sort that out.”

Jon Harley, prosecuting, said police also recovered a live 9mm bullet, a spent shotgun cartridge and a blank shotgun cartridge when the home he was staying in at the time of the offence on December 18 last year was searched.

Jonathan Walker, in mitigation, reminded the court that his client had served the equivalent of a year sentence after being held on remand since his arrest late last year.

McNeil, of Kingsley Court, Grangetown, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of a bladed article and a further charge of possession of ammunition.

The 20-year-old was sentenced to 13 months in a young offenders’ institute.

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