Man who was found carrying a knife near New Hall Lane is jailed

A man who was caught in possession of a knife has been jailed.

Michael Rawcliffe was seen hiding from police in a ginnel around New Hall Lane.

The 44-year-old was observed by plain clothes police around 8pm on Friday 21 December.

They spotted Rawcliffe, of Stefano Road, around the junction with Samuel Street.

Police stopped him and asked if he had any weapons.

Rawcliffe said he didn’t have any but after a search the police found a lock knife on his person.

He said he had the knife as he was chased by a group of men a number of weeks earlier.

Rawcliffe pleaded guilty at court to possessing a knife in a public place.

He was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison following a hearing at Preston Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 18 June, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115 and costs of £85.

What police had to say

Sergeant Tom McNicholas said: “This is another good result for the community of Preston. Lancashire police and the local community will not tolerate people carrying knives and offensive weapons in public places.

“We will use uniform and plain clothes officers to disrupt and arrest those who choose to do so. There is a myth that carrying a knife makes you safer when in fact evidence shows that by carrying a knife you are putting yourself in more danger.

“Despite Mr Rawcliffe’s suggestion that he was carrying the knife for protection due to a previous incident this is not a defence and does not make it acceptable hence the custodial sentence he received. If you have any fears for your personal safety then you should contact the police immediately.

“If you have any information of people within the community carrying knives or weapons in and around your streets you can contact Lancashire police on 101 or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”