A man who was found in possession with a knife in a public place as part of Thames Valley Police’s Operation Deter, has been sentenced to a community order in court.
Kalam Shah, aged 18, of Woolmans, Fullers Slade, Milton Keynes, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place and one count of possession of cannabis in a hearing at Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court on Friday (15/7).
He was subsequently sentenced to a community order to be supervised by probation, 200 hours of unpaid work, a deprivation order in relation to the knife and was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
Shah was also fined £90 for possession of cannabis.
On Thursday (14/7) officers were called to reports of a group of people seen in possession of knives in Oldbrook Boulevard.
Seven people were stopped and searched and a lock knife was located.
Shah admitted to officers that it was his knife, and he was arrested and charged the same day.
Nothing was found on the others who were searched.
Investigating officer Detective Constable James Schöpp of the Milton Keynes Priority Crime Team said: “Through our new initiative, Operation Deter, we have swiftly brought Shah to justice and removed a knife from our communities.
“Shah pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and had no previous convictions, and so this sentence should serve as a warning to others that if you are found in possession of a knife, you should expect to face the consequences.
“A community order such as this is no light touch, and Shah will have to complete 200 hours of community service as a result of his decision to carry this knife.
“Be under no doubt, if you are caught in possession of a knife in Milton Keynes, Operation Deter will pursue you, arrest you and place you before the courts.
“We are resolute in our determination to make our communities safer by removing knives from our streets.
“You are more likely to be injured by your own knife if you carry one, so my message is clear. Do not become a statistic, and do not risk ending up with a criminal record by making a decision to carry a knife.
“My message to the community is if you have any information about anybody who is carrying a knife, please report this to us, either on 101 or by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
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