A man has been sentenced to nine months in prison after being found with a knife during police patrols in Swindon’s town centre.
The incident occurred yesterday afternoon (19th December) when officers conducting Op Dasher patrols detained two men on Edgeware Road following suspicious behaviour observed by Swindon Borough Council CCTV operators.
The pair were stopped under a Section 23 Misuse of Drugs Act search, during which officers discovered cannabis and a large kitchen knife on one of the men.
Keiran Evers, 28, of no fixed abode, was arrested and subsequently charged with possession of a bladed article in a public place and possession of a Class B drug, namely herbal cannabis.
Evers appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court this morning (20th December), where he was sentenced to nine months in prison. PC Paul Bezzant, speaking on the case, stated: “Evers is a repeat offender for carrying weapons, and I’m pleased he will now spend time behind bars for it. There can be no place in society for carrying knives and other bladed articles – the consequences of doing so, as we have sadly seen, can be lifelong.”
The arrest and sentencing come as part of Op Dasher, a police initiative aimed at ensuring the safety of shoppers and businesses during the festive period. PC Bezzant added: “Op Dasher is continuing apace in the lead-up to Christmas. In this final weekend before the big day, our officers will be out on patrol to ensure shoppers and businesses alike can have a safe, peaceful time.”
