A MAN from the New Forest has avoided an immediate prison sentence after being found guilty of having a knife in a public place.

Ryan James Wingate, 36, pleaded not guilty to a charge of possessing a knife in Priestlands Road, Pennington, on May 30 last year.

He was found guilty of the offence at a Southampton Magistrates’ Court trial on April 13.

The defendant admitted an offence of failing to surrender to custody at court on the day of the trial, having been released on bail in criminal proceedings on July 9 last year.

At a sentencing hearing on July 20, Wingate, whose address was given as Hillside Road, Pennington, was committed to prison for 26 weeks, suspended for 18 months.

Court papers stated this was his second bladed article offence.

The suspended sentence included a requirement to have treatment for drug dependency for six months and take part in up to 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirement.

It was ordered the knife be forfeited and destroyed.

Wingate was fined £50 for the failing to surrender matter.

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