A Swindon man who kept a knuckleduster in his car “for protection” has been fined hundreds of pounds.

Peter Hriva, 39, of Windflower Road, Haydon Wick, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a public place at Swindon Magistrates' Court on Friday, October 18.

On Friday, May 31, Hriva, who works as a delivery driver, caught an officer's attention following a dangerous manoeuvre at a crossroads.

The officer immediately noticed a silver knuckleduster sat in the driver’s side door and seized it, but he was not taken to the police station.

Hriva, who had one previous conviction over 10 years ago, told the officer it was for his own safety, despite not having any direct enemies.

In mitigation, Mr Collins, defending, said Hriva is from Slovakia and did not realise it was illegal to carry the knuckleduster in the UK and has kept it in his vehicle since an incident at a nightclub.

The Magistrate told Hriva: “In English law you cannot carry dangerous weapons anywhere in public – that includes in your car.

“If you are living here, you must comply with the law in this country.”

He was fined £300 and ordered to pay a surcharge of £120 and prosecution costs of £85, totalling £505.