A man told magistrates they had ruined his life when they jailed him for possession of a flick-knife.
David Boles denied owning the weapon and said he found it 15 minutes before he was stopped by police in Mersea Road, Colchester.
The 37-year-old, of Holt Drive, Colchester, was jailed for four months yesterday when he appeared before the town's magistrates.
After being sentenced, he told the court: "You haven't heard the full facts your honour. You've ruined my life, OK? You have just destroyed my life."
Magistrates told him to shut up when explaining the sentence to Boles.
But he continued: "I will lose my home, lose my life and lose my family. Thank you very much."
The court heard Boles was spotted trying to hide something from a police officer on the afternoon of February 25.
Boles passed the weapon on to a friend and allowed him to be arrested for the offence, magistrates were told.
When Boles was eventually charged, he denied it, but was found guilty at trial.
James Baird Murray, representing Boles, said he had a long list of convictions, which stretch back over 20 years.
He said: "There is no evidence he had waved it about or threatened anyone with it. I ask you to take that into account."
Boles was ordered to appear at the fines court on October 18, after his release from prison for unpaid fines.
Published Wednesday August 4, 2004
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