Man cleared after he accidentally put knife in back pocket

Man cleared after he accidentally put knife in back pocket

18 July 2018

A SHRIGLEY man was acquitted at Downpatrick Court of being in possession of a knife in public.

Stephen Dalzell (20), of Osborne Drive, told Monday’s court that he had accidentally put a domestic kitchen knife into his back trouser pocket when going to meet his younger sister to walk her home safely.

Police discovered the knife when he was stopped and searched in Catherine Street, Killyleagh, in the early hours of April 1.

Mr Dalzell said that he had just finished cooking a pizza for his father, who he is a registered carer for, when his sister got in touch. 

Before leaving his father’s home, he said he absent-mindedly put the knife into his back pocket at the same time his sister phoned.

The court further heard that the knife in question had a three-inch blade and a black handle and was going to used to cut his father’s pizza.

Mr Dalzell admitted that he had been drinking in the local bar earlier before leaving around 1.30am, but was not intoxicated.

The police were aware of some disturbance in front of the bar around the same time with a group of drinkers as several bottles had been lobbed at their car. 

However, Mr Dalzell denied being part of that group as he had been with an older group of drinkers that night.

When a Crown prosecutor suggested that he had put the knife in his pocket because he had intended to use it, he answered,”No, no, no. It was a pure accident.”

Deputy District Judge Philip Mateer acquitted Mr Dazell saying there was sufficient reasonable doubt that he had intended to take the knife out with him in a public place.