A man caught in possession of a kitchen knife owned by his mother was sentenced to 40 hours' community service.

Jon-Paul Webb, 19, of Oakfield Road, Benfleet, was stopped by police while travelling in a car with friends on June 23, in Watlington Road, Benfleet.

Officers searched the vehicle and found the kitchen knife with an eight-inch blade.

Webb, who is employed as a roofer, pleaded guilty in Southend Magistrates' Court. He claimed he had been using the blade to repair the exhaust on his car.

Published Monday August 9, 2004

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