Suspended prison sentence for ‘idiot’ carrying knife in Boston pub

A self-confessed ‘idiot’ found carrying a knife in a pub has received a suspended prison sentence.

Tyler Southerby, 26, had the black-handled blade tucked into his sock when police attended the Britannia Inn in Boston on January 11.

Prosecutor Tosin Abioye told Boston Magistrates that officers were called to the town-centre venue at around midnight following a report of a reveller carrying the weapon.

“The defendant was informed he was being stopped and searched and he stated he did have the knife in his left sock, tucked in,” she said.

“It was a kitchen knife which had a 12cm blade.

“He fully admitted being in possession, saying he was an idiot for carrying the knife for self defence’.

A probation report said the defendant had ‘noticed his friend had the knife’ and that there were ‘ongoing issues between groups of males’.

“He didn’t want his friend to do something stupid so he took the knife and put it in his sock,” the report added.

“He had no intention of using it and was going to dispose of of it.”

The court was told that Southerby, of no fixed abode, was ‘sofa surfing’ with family and friends around Boston following the breakdown of a recent relationship, and that he was looking for work.

In defence, Mike Alexander added his client - who pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article in a public place on Monday (February 3) - had ‘behaved really stupidly’ but reiterated that ‘he didn’t bring the knife out with him’.

Magistrates handed Southerby a four-month suspended prison sentence and ordered he carry out a 12-month community order, including 15 rehabilitation days and 150 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay a £154 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Magistrates also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the knife.