A Mandurah man has been ordered to undergo a community-based order after police found him riding a pushbike with an 18 centimetre knife in his backpack.
Daniel Murray Earnshaw, 23, pleaded guilty to possessing the knife when he appeared in the Mandurah Magistrates Court on Friday, but claimed he used it for fishing.
Police prosecutor Mick Fallows told the court police stopped the father-of-one on August 24, riding a pushbike without a helmet on Sholl Street.
Read More:
Senior Sergeant Fallows said Earnshaw had been found in possession of similar items on two occasions in the past.
He said officers found the knife after conducting a misuse of drugs search warrant.
Earnshaw’s lawyer Giulia Reale-Fucile told the court her client was homeless at the time and had forgotten the “fishing knife” was in his bag.
Ms Reale-Fucile said Earnshaw now lived with friends and was engaging with Palmerston.
Magistrate Anne Longden told the court she was “dubious” the knife was used for fishing.
Earnshaw was ordered to undertake a 12-month community-based order and 60 hours of community work.