King’s Lynn man Ricky Lear walked through town with sledgehammer that he claims he found in a bush
A man who was caught wielding a sledgehammer in town claims he found it in a bush.
It was an ominous scene in North Lynn on July 25 when two men were captured on CCTV walking along Walpole Road at 5.09am, one with the hammer in hand.
At a later date, police were sent to the home of Ricky Lear, 36, of Kingsway, to arrest him for possession of an offensive weapon.
He first appeared at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on November 11, where he pleaded guilty to the offence. His case was then adjourned to allow a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
Lear was back in the dock on Thursday already having 55 convictions and £3,272 of outstanding fines to his name.
In mitigation, solicitor Charlotte Winchester explained that the defendant was with a friend, “came across the hammer in a bush”, and took it.
“He feels frustration at being back here as he’s really doing quite well in his life,” she said.
“He has a supportive partner who is a good influence.”
Magistrates handed Lear an 18-month community order, through which he will be subject to four months of trail monitoring and will have to complete ten rehabilitation activity days.
He will also pay a £114 victim surcharge and £110 in court costs.
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Source: www.lynnnews.co.uk