A man who attempted to flee from police with a machete in his waistband has been sentenced – as police release dramatic footage of the moment he was arrested.
Justin Earp, 18, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a knife in a public place and was sentenced to 26 weeks imprisonment suspended for 24 months when he appeared at Swindon Crown Court last week.
During the evening of May 28, officers were on patrol in Swindon when they received information to suggest knives were being carried in a vehicle nearby.
Officers stopped the vehicle in Cheney Manor Road and the occupants attempted to flee the scene. Earp was seen to get out of the vehicle from the passenger side, and in doing so, officers spotted a machete in his trouser waistband. A large combat knife was also seen to fall from his clothing.
The weapons were seized and Earp, of Diamond Crescent, was arrested and later charged with two counts of possession of a bladed article.
This was the dramatic moment a police officer detained an 18-year-old who was carrying TWO knives – including a machete – in Swindon.
FULL STORY: https://t.co/zs92BHzFe6 pic.twitter.com/gsb5By7BLe
— Wiltshire 999s (@Wiltshire999s) July 18, 2022
PC Ben Agate said: “We are committed to targeting those who insist on carrying knives on our streets. I hope this case acts as reassurance to the local community that we are robustly dealing with knife crime, and will do all in our power to target those carrying weapons.”
Supt Phil Staynings said: “Effectively tackling knife crime is one of my priorities.
“My officers are working hard to ensure that we remove knives from the streets of the borough of Swindon, acting robustly to enforce the law against offenders to protect our community.
“They work together alongside other agencies and the community to try and reduce offending, divert young people away from crime, and target the most dangerous people in the community with enforcement activity.
“The full impact of knife crime can never be underestimated and in some cases the fatal consequences it leads to. The impact this leaves on the lives of victim’s families is truly devastating and horrific.”
As well as the suspended sentence, Earp was ordered to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work, pay a £128 victim surcharge and £85 costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.
The machete and combat knife were both forfeited and destroyed by police.
