(Image: Stuart Boulton)
A man found with two knuckledusters during a police raid on his home has appeared in court.
Darren Appleby admitted possessing the weapons but said he did not know keeping them at home was illegal, a court heard.
The 36-year-old was remanded in custody on unrelated matters after his arrest on June 29, Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard.
Prosecutor Yetunde Alake said police searched Appleby’s home and found the knuckledusters there.
Ms Alake said Appleby had 23 convictions for 57 offences.
Appleby, of Harrogate Terrace, Murton, County Durham, admitted two charges of possessing an offensive weapon in a private place.
His lawyer, Tom Morgan, said Appleby was held until August 21 but released after facing no further charges over his arrest.
He said: “He obviously spent a substantial amount of time in custody which would be the equivalent to any sentence available.
“He was very surprised that the possession of these items in private had been criminalised.
“He has previously been the victim of a serious attack in his home and they helped him to sleep more easily at night – he never had any intention of taking them outside his home.
Bench chairman Colling Morris gave Appleby an absolute discharge, meaning he was not punished further, after taking into account his time spent on remand.
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He said: “We have taken into account that this offence was not committed in a public place.
“Naivety of what you are or are not allowed have at home is not how the law works.
“It is your responsibility to check what the law is.”