A SWINDON man has been sentenced after police found a knife in his bag.

Officers stopped and searched Martin Coombs on July 25 for an unrelated matter which did not lead to any charges being brought against the 23-year-old.

But while looking through his bag they found a Stanley lock knife and arrested him for possessing a knife blade in a public place.

The Munro Close resident later pleaded guilty to the offence and returned to Swindon Magistrates Court on Friday for sentencing.

The court heard that the knife had been used for the defendant's work but was not being used or on show at the time of the search.

A member of the probation team said: "He is remorseful, he accepts that what he has done is not right.

"He has a young family and there has been a lot of stress, and he has not managed these emotions very well."

Coombs received a community order requiring him to attend 12 sessions for his mental health and 20 rehabilitation activity days.

He received a £392 fine and must also pay £125 in court costs plus £114 to victim services.