A MAN will appear at crown court following reports of firearms and other weapons being sold over Instagram.

Police investigating the unlawful selling of knives online in the New Forest have charged 23-year-old Stefan Petrescu.

Petrescu, of High Street in Totton, has been charged with one count of publishing material which encouraged the use of a knife as a weapon, one count of marketing combat knife by selling, one count of possession of a weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid / gas / electrical incapacitation device and two counts of possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

The charges come after reports of a large quantity of knives, other prohibited weapons and firearms being offered up for sale via Instagram.

Petrescu appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 8, where he was further remanded in custody.

He will next appear at Southampton Crown Court on Wednesday, September 4.