A man found with a machete near Stansted Airport was suffering from mental problems at the time, a court has heard.

Huseyin Hassan was stopped by police in Hall Road, Elsenham, and when he was searched, the ten-inch blade machete was found in a bag.

Hassan, 34, of Gaunts End, Elsenham, was accused of possessing a bladed article on August 18, 2003, when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court.

After being told the facts of the case, which were not disputed by the defence, a jury decided Hassan had committed the offence.

Judge Rodger Hayward Smith QC made Hassan the subject of a supervision and treatment order for two years.

The judge told Hassan he would be under the supervision of Essex County Council's social services department.

Hassan sat behind his barrister during the sentence but was not in court when the evidence was heard.

Noel Casey, prosecuting, said Hassan was not in the dock because he was labouring under a mental disability and was unable to stand trial for psychiatric reasons.

Published Wednesday, January 26, 2005

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