A County Durham man who was found to have knuckle dusters in his home by police has avoided jail but has been heavily fined in court. 

Darren Willians, of Woods Terrace in Murton, County Durham, was found with the offensive weapon in a property in Seaham on March 10 last year, following a police raid. 

Willians pleaded guilty at Peterlee Magistrates' Court on Monday (January 29), where he managed to avoid jail. 

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He was handed a community order - which he is required to complete within 12 months, which includes 130 hours of unpaid work. 

Willians' knuckle dusters have also been destroyed as a result of the court hearing.

To another charge of possessing an offensive weapon in a private place, Willians was fined £400, and handed a surcharge of £114, which he will pay in £50 instalments, starting February 26.