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Holbeach man was found with knuckle duster after South Holland police officers stopped him in Whaplode




A Holbeach drink-driver had a knuckle duster in his pocket when stopped by police in Whaplode.

Chris Downes (54) was in an Audi A3 in High Road on January 6, magistrates in Boston heard on Wednesday.

He provided a positive breath test, said prosecutor Shelley Wilson.

Chris Downes was stopped by police in Whaplode PICTURE: STOCK
Chris Downes was stopped by police in Whaplode PICTURE: STOCK

“At that point, he reached in to a trouser pocket and took out a silver knuckle duster,” she added. “He stated that it was a belt buckle.”

In custody, Downes, of Langwith Gardens, blew 55 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

In police interview, he said he carried the knuckle duster for his own “personal protection”.

“He stated that he never used it and never intended to – it was more of a scare tactic,” added Miss Wilson.

In mitigation, Phillipa Chatterton said her client had no intention of driving that night but a friend was upset that he had not returned some property and “in the heat of the moment” he decided to do that.

“It would appear that she rang the police about him and that was the reason for the stop,” added Miss Chatterton.

Downes, who admitted drink-driving and having an offensive weapon in a public place, was fined a total of £320 and told to pay £128 victim surcharge and £85 costs. He was banned from driving for 15 months.



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