A man found with a knife while trying to climb through the drive-thru window of a McDonald's restaurant in West Denton has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Robert Smith, 49, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court in custody after failing to attend a previous hearing. He had pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article following the incident on August 2.
Police called to West Denton Retail Park
Prosecutor Clare Haswell told the court that officers were called to West Denton Retail Park after reports a man was trying to enter McDonald's through the drive-thru window. When they arrived, they stopped and searched Smith and found him in possession of a knife.
Haswell said Smith has two past convictions from 2017 and 2021 for possessing a bladed article.
Defendant's explanation rejected
Adrian Ions, defending, said Smith had originally put the knife in his coat pocket for a legitimate purpose. He said Smith picked up the coat when he took his dog for a walk, and the dog was impounded by police for two days following the arrest. Ions added that Smith has a history of complying with the Probation Service.
District Judge Paul Currer gave Smith a 20-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He told Smith: "You know perfectly well that possessing a knife is an offence because you have been convicted of it before. The police were called because of suspicious behaviour around McDonald's and they stumble across you. You were found to be in possession of the knife. I have read your explanation for having it but I think it's implausible."
Smith, formerly of Whitley Bay but now of no fixed abode, must also pay a £154 victim surcharge.
