A SECOND judge has voiced concerns over "pens" concealing three inch sharp blades, said to have been on sale on Accrington market.

Recorder Anthony Edwards was echoing the words of Burnley's top judge Raymond Bennett when he sentenced a man with a violent past, who had had one of the "weapons" tucked into the side of his mobile phone.

Sending Andrew Downie to prison for four months, Recorder Edwards said it was "a matter of considerable public concern" that the knives appeared to be so readily available.

He added the knives were not novelties and were capable of being used as a "serious weapon." He went on: "It must be made clear that the possession of such knives is something to be wholly condemned by the courts and particularly in circumstances where a person who carries it has a background of offences of violence."

Downie, 36, of Whalley Road, Accrington, admitted having an article with a blade or point in a public place, when he appeared before Judge Bennett at Burnley Crown Court several weeks ago.

The judge then urged action and called on market bosses to use what powers they had over the sale of the gold-coloured "pens." Richard Orme, prosecuting, said a police woman was suspicious about the defendant's behaviour.

Downie said he was looking for £5 he had dropped on the floor and the officer called in colleagues to help search him.

A gold "pen" was found in the side of Downie's mobile phone and it had an extremely sharp concealed blade, which appeared to have been sharpened.

Downie told police he had not altered the blade and said he had been given the "pen" as a gift. He claimed it was a letter opener.

Anthony Cross, defending, said Downie had been a prolific offender until 1994, committing low-grade crime.

Hundreds of thousands of pounds had been spent on medical care of the defendant, with treatment and psychiatric help, and if he went to Preston jail for a few months, nobody knew what he would be like when he came out. Downie was not a risk to the public. He had proved that by his behaviour since 1994, but for this one indiscretion. He had made quite remarkable strides, concerning his dreadful criminal record.

He was already subject to quite intensive supervision by his psychiatric nurse and a financial penalty would act as a reminder of his foolishness.

Mr Cross went on: "The pen looks vicious and it is. It was bought from Accrington market and is not something bought surreptitiously. If it is to be jail, it has to be a short space of time and that would be counterproductive."

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