Two Greater Manchester men have been sentenced after they were found in possession of bladed weapons and class B drugs. Sean Boal, 40, of Louisa Mews, Denton, and Kian Jones, 20, of Fir Tree Avenue, Stockport, appeared at Manchester Crown Court, where they were each handed an 18-month community order.
Details of the offence
The court heard that during a search of a car used by the pair, Jones was found to have a "man bag" containing cannabis and a blade, while Boal was discovered to have a 20-inch machete. Prosecuting, Scarlett Wilson told the court about the items found during the search.
Pleas and mitigation
In mitigation for Mr Boal, defence lawyer Emily Calman told the court that the defendant had entered his guilty plea at the pre-trial hearing. Defending for Mr Jones, Joshua Matthews told the court that his defendant was a "young offender", who had only recently turned 20 days before the hearing.
Mr Matthews suggested Mr Jones was a positive candidate for rehabilitation, adding that he now wanted to "pursue proper employment" after "struggling" to get a job prior. He also told the court how Mr Jones did not want to "follow this criminal path".
Sentencing remarks
Sentencing Mr Boal, Recorder KC Hayton stated: "You pleaded guilty to possession of a substantial weapon. If you had used it you would have lost your liberty today."
Addressing Mr Jones, Recorder Hayton continued: "He [Sean Boal] knows what it is like to be in the company of the wrong people. However friendly you are with him, he is not someone to aspire to be like. You want to take a step away from that."
Sean Boal pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon in public, while Kian Jones pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and possession of a blade in a public place. Recorder KC Hayton handed both Boal and Jones an 18-month community order.
