A Connah's Quay dad has avoided jail after he was found to be carrying a blade and drug in public.

John Patrick McDermott, of New Union Street, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The 45-year-old admitted that at Dock Road in Connah's Quay last month, he had in his possession a bladed article and a quantity of cannabis.

Rhian Jackson, prosecuting, told the court that on the afternoon of January 25 police stopped McDermott, who was riding an electric bike on a public footpath in Dock Road.

They seized the bike and searched him, discovering a 'Stanley knife' in his work trouser pocket.

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His rucksack smelled of cannabis, and when it was searched a wrap of the drug was found too.

McDermott made no comment to police in terms of whether he had a legitimate use or reason for having the knife.

Victoria Handley, defending, told the court that the factory where her client worked required staff to use a particular retractable knife - but he'd decided to bring his own knife in with him.

He'd since been dismissed for that, as well as for the cannabis; as the company has a "zero-tolerance" policy towards drugs.

Ms Handley said while McDermott 'technically' had a reasonable excuse for having the knife, his no-comment interview hadn't helped matters and had led to the charge.

She added that the cannabis was not for use by his client - but in fact was for his son, who has a severe form of epilepsy.

He'd kept the substance on his person so that his son didn't "over-indulge" while he wasn't at home, she explained, but now has a digital safe to keep it locked up.

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For the possession of the knife, District Judge Gwyn Jones handed down a 16 week prison sentence - but suspended it for 12 months on the basis that he was satisfied there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

No separate penalty was imposed for the possession of the cannabis, but the District Judge ordered that the drug be destroyed.

McDermott must pay a victim surcharge of £154 and £85 costs.