A MAN has been fined after carrying a knife in a Herefordshire town while going lamping.

Charlie Elliot Hirschman admitted carrying the weapon when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford on March 24.

The court heard the 20-year-old had been caught with a sheath knife measuring over seven centimetres without good reason or lawful authority in Leominster on January 14.

But magistrates decided to depart from sentencing guidelines, deciding custody was not appropriate and that there was no suitable community sentence available, as Hirschman is of good character and was carrying the knife while lawfully lamping and may have had a defence if only he had enquired if one was needed.

Hirschman, of Middlemarsh, Leominster, was fined £300. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £34 victim surcharge,