A KNIFEMAN has been ordered to undertake 80 hours of unpaid work after he admitted having the weapon in public.

Bolton magistrates were told that Carl Kidd, aged 45, of Pilkington Road, Kearsley, was carrying the three inch bladed kitchen knife on November 10 in Westwood Close, Farnworth.

The court heard that Kidd has a similar previous conviction, but magistrates were told that that was 18 years ago and so decided it would be unfair to sentence him to a mandatory six month prison sentence for a second offence.

Instead Kidd was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months and must also participate in 15 days of rehabilitation activities.

He was also ordered to pay £207 in costs and charges.