Man who had knife in Skipton High Street jailed for 12 weeks

James Laurie, a convicted arsonist on a two year suspended prison sentence, had part of his 26 week term activated after admitting possession of a bladed article in a public place without good reason or lawful authority.

For the possession of a knife, which was in a sheath attached to his belt, he was handed a further four weeks, to be added to the end of his sentence.

Laurie, who Skipton magistrates heard was 'vulnerable' with dyslexia, a mild learning disability and a history of self harm, would do anything to avoid being sent to prison.

Prosecuting, Jessica Randell, told the court police went to the High Street at 2.30pm on February 6 to follow up a report of a man seen with a knife.

Laurie was outside Costa Coffee in the company of two females and with a knife in a sheath attached to his belt, under his jacket, she said.

One officer handcuffed Laurie before asking him if he was in possession of a knife, he nodded to his belt, and the knife was removed before being passed to another officer, said Ms Randell.

Laurie, of Broughton Road, Skipton, was supported in court by a care worker and was assisted in his day to day living, magistrates heard in mitigation.

Helen Taylor said Laurie had dyslexia, a mild learning disability and was on the autistic spectrum, and had attended two special schools when growing up.

She said he had a knife and a pellet gun for rabbiting, had got rid of the gun and had mistakenly thought the knife had gone at the same time.

Having found the knife at home, he had decided to take it into town with the intention of giving it to his father, who he knew would be driving through Skipton, said Mrs Taylor.

Mrs Taylor said to Laurie, who struggled in social situations, it had made perfect sense.

"The knife was in a sheath, under his jacket and not on show to anyone. He is too vulnerable to go into custody at this point and would do anything to avoid it," she said.

The court heard Laurie had two previous convictions, for criminal damage in 2014 and for arson in August, 2015, when he and a youth caused several thousand pounds of damage at Craven College and at the former Aireville School.

He was also convicted in his absence of riding a Yamaha 150cc motorcycle on Engine Shed Lane, Skipton on June 4, last year, without the proper licence, without insurance and without protective headgear.

The court heard from probation that Laurie had a poor understanding of social rules, and lacked a sense of danger, putting himself and others at potential risk of danger.

Magistrates activated eight weeks of his suspended prison sentence, with the addition of a further four weeks to run consecutively. He was also banned from driving for 12 months, for the motoring offences, and ordered to pay £120 surcharge. An order was made for the forfeiture and destruction of the knife.