Newtown man who urinated on police van had lock knife
Leigh Peter Dobson, 35, urinated on the vehicle while police attended an unrelated incident at The Green in Back Lane, Newtown on June 4.
Welshpool Magistrates' Court was told that Dobson was identified at the scene but refused to engage with officers and left.
He was later found and arrested for criminal damage and further arrested for possessing a bladed article after Dyfed-Powys Police officers found a lock knife.
Dobson, of The Green, Back Lane, pleaded guilty to both offences at a previous hearing on June 24.
Rebecca Ross, prosecuting, told the court that Dobson had a history for violent offences including grievous bodily harm in 2023 for which he received an 18-month prison sentence.
"About the lock knife, people don't realise that keeping even a Stanley knife in your pocket is an imprisonable offence. Zero tolerance is shown these days to knife crime.
"The defendant wasn't intending to threaten anybody with it.
"He has significant issues in his life."
Probation Service officer Joe Long told the court that Dobson was willing to engage recommendations from a pre-sentence report seen by the magistrates.
Dr Rachel Jones, chair of the magistrates' bench, told Dobson that the offence of carrying a blade crossed the custody threshold.
The magistrates sentenced him to 26 weeks which was suspended for 18 months because they believe there is a chance of rehabilitation.
Dobson must complete 15 days of rehabilitation and 26 programme sessions to help with his mental health.
Dr Jones said there would be no separate penalty for urinating on a police van "but be careful doing this like that again".
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