A SOLDIER found with an expanding baton in Burnley town centre in the early hours told police he had found it and although he knew it was a weapon, he did not know it was offensive.

Burnley magistrates heard how Marc Beckett, 19, whose captain says he will make an excellent soldier, claimed he had had four pints and eight bottles of alcoholic drinks, but was not drunk. Beckett, serving in the Kings Royal Hussars and based at Aliwal Barracks, Tidworth, Hants, was conditionally discharged for 12 months and must pay £55 costs. He admitted having an offensive weapon.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, told the court Beckett was seen by police to drop something outside a nightclub. The defendant then picked up an object and put it into his pocket and the officer went and retrieved an expandible baton, which can be extended to a length of two to three feet.

When Beckett was interviewed, he said he had found the baton and had it on him for about two hours. He said he as going to get rid of it when he had found someone to give it to.

A letter read to the court from the defendant's commanding officer, Captain N Perry, stated Beckett had joined the army in February 1999, had settled in and was quiet and unassuming. A tank soldier, he was a keen sportsman and would make an excellent member of the forces.

Captain Perry said the army would not tolerate such conduct, although it was being treated as a one-off and the regiment would be taking its own action.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.