A DARLINGTON man appeared at court today (Tuesday, March 31) for carrying a machete around with him in the middle of the night.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court heard how Luke Swainston, 20, was seen in Neasham Road, Darlington, after midnight on Friday, February 20, with the weapon.

John Garside, prosecuting, said: “Mr Swainston was spotted with the machete by two members of the public who contacted the police.

“They arrived to cordon off the area and the defendant was sighted leaving his home address.

“When questioned by police he said he had the machete in his kitchen to protect him from people coming into his home.”

Swainston, of Neasham Road, Darlington, represented himself in court and said in mitigation: “There is nothing I can say really. It was just a stupid mistake in drink.”

Chair of the bench, William Unsworth, said Swainston, who admitted a charge of possessing the knife in a public place, had ruined his good character and sentenced him to a 12 month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a victim surcharge of £60.