A teenager was carrying a hammer in Trowbridge for his own protection, a court heard.
Keelan Morrison, 19, and a friend – who was prosecuted separately – were both in possession of weapons when they walked through the town on 30 October last year.
Prosecutor Tom Power told Swindon Magistrates’ Court that the defendant, who now lives in Buckingham Terrace, Glasgow, armed himself with a hammer, whilst his friend had a knife.
“As they walked past a member of the public, they made comments about people being stabbed”, he said.
“The member of the public feels compelled to defend himself and calls to a friend to call 999.
“He can see a knife pointing through one of the men’s trousers.”
The member of the public chases the pair in Huntingfield before they run into a woodland area.
Police later arrested the pair, and in custody, Keelan admitted having the hammer on his person but claimed he did not brandish it.
He also admitted contravening a closure order in November – a court order that prevents people from being at an address. It’s usually obtained by police following drug activity to anti-social behaviour.
Defending, Charlotte Frizzell said her client had got involved with some “unsavoury characters” in Wiltshire and “they all carry weapons for their own protection”.
She claims the member of the public involved in the incident “threatened to slit his throat” the previous day.
“He and his partner have moved away to the Glasgow area because he fears repercussions from his behaviour in Wiltshire”, she said.
Adding: “He has high aspirations for the future and his partner has completed her GCSEs and A-Levels and has applied to university to study forensic psychology.”
Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order, 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work.
He was also fined £50 for the closure order breach, £85 costs and a £95 surcharge.
