A homeless man is getting a fresh chance after being caught with a knuckle duster in his bag and the drug mamba in underwear.
A crown court judge ordered Daran Walsh to undergo drug tests for six months and urged him to accept help from probation officers.
The city court heard that the 25-year-old man was stopped on Shakespeare Street on December 10. Police found the knuckle duster in his bag.
"He said that he forgot it was there," said Sarah Munro, prosecuting. Later he claimed that it was for his protection.
Walsh was ordered to appear before magistrates on January 4 but failed to turn up. Two days later, he was detained.
"There was a report of a public disturbance on London Road of a man behaving erratically. He was clearly under the influence of a substance.
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"Mamba was found in his underwear," added Miss Munro, who said that Walsh had 12 crimes on his record, including having a bladed article two years ago.
Annette Thomas, mitigating, said: "At the time he was arrested, his head was not in a particularly good place. He is now feeling a lot better than he was three months ago."
Walsh, who has been in custody since January, said that he had got the knuckle duster as "a Christmas present for his grandfather."
Miss Thomas said that Walsh is hoping to be helped in finding a home. He admitted having the weapon and the drug.
Judge Andrew Eastall put him on probation for a year, with drug tests for the first six months.
He told him: "There will be 20 rehabilitation days, primarily designed to make sure you are not living on the streets."
The judge said that Walsh had been in custody for three months and that a longer prison term would not be a help.
The judge added: "In your circumstances, I conclude it would not only be unjust but absolutely pointless. It would not serve you or the public interest.
"You have an opportunity, all right? I can only implore you to take it. Do you understand?"
Walsh replied: "Yes, thank you very much."
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