30-04-2025
Tarporley tree surgeon avoids jail for carrying blade
Members of Deeside Ramblers Hockey Club called the police after Steven Hall, of The Dale, showed up at their Nantwich Road ground at 7pm on Monday, March 10.
The 43-year-old yelled insults at players and coaches before wandering off, but police caught up with him nearby and identified him from a description.
Officers found a multitool with a two-inch locking blade in his pocket, which he later said he used 'for cleaning his crack pipes'.
In custody, he told officers it was a gift from his parents, and he had no idea carrying it around was a crime.
He was charged with one count of possessing a blade in public, and appeared at Chester Magistrates' Court on Friday, March 28, where he pleaded guilty.
The case was adjourned for a presentence report, and he returned for sentencing on Tuesday, April 29.
Prosecuting, Val Tonkinson said Hall told police he hadn't been to work that day, which meant he had no reasonable excuse for having the knife on him.
Defending, Steve Coupe said his client's previous convictions were 'very limited', adding this kind of behaviour was 'very much out of character'.
He told the court Hall uses drugs 'as a coping mechanism' but otherwise 'leads a relatively pro-social life'.
Mr Coupe said Hall 'holds qualifications in a skilled profession', which Hall himself later confirmed is tree surgery, and uses the multitool 'regularly in the course of his employment'.
'He simply forgot he had it in his pocket,' Mr Coupe added.
'During the earlier incident at the hockey club, my client didn't threaten anyone with the knife, or refer to it in any way.'
Mr Coupe said his while Hall claims Universal Credit, he 'works sporadically', and 'presents a realistic prospect of rehabilitation'.
While Mr Coupe said Hall knew the case crossed the custody threshold, he hoped the bench would consider suspending any prison sentence it decided to impose.
The chairman of the bench, Jean Bamford, said: 'When it comes to carrying knives in public, the law has tightened up, and we have no choice but to impose a custodial sentence.
'However, in this instance, we feel we are able to suspend it.'
Hall was handed a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
He was also ordered complete up to 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, and complete a six-month drug treatment programme.
He must also pay £85 court costs and a £154 victim surcharge.
Magistrates also ordered the multitool to be destroyed.
