A man who had been drinking heavily was arrested when he turned up to court with a lock knife in his jacket.

Mark Lockey, 31, was searched by security staff when he arrived at Teesside Crown Court and the knife was discovered.

Lockey, who had been drinking beer and whisky before his court appearance on October 19 last year, said he had forgotten about the knife.

Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court yesterday that Lockey triggered a metal detector and was arrested by police for carrying an offensive weapon.

Jamie Hill, for Lockey, said he was nervous and upset about his court hearing, which involved an injunction taken out against him by a former partner.

He had drunk cans of beer and whisky outside the court for "Dutch courage".

Lockey, of Wykeham Close, Redcar, a part-time French polisher, denied carrying an offensive weapon, a plea accepted by the prosecution.

He admitted possessing a bladed article in a public place.

He was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £250 costs.