AN OFFENDER caught in Hereford with a smashed glass bottle has avoided prison, despite it being his second offensive weapon offence.

Aaron Newton appeared before magistrates in Hereford for sentencing in November after entering guilty pleas to one count of criminal damage and one count of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place at an earlier hearing.

The court heard from the prosecutor that the 41-year-old had, without lawful excuse, intentionally or recklessly damaged sweets worth a total of £6.50 belonging to another person in Hereford on October 1.

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He had also been in possession of an offensive weapon, namely a smashed glass bottle with a pen stuffed into it to use as a handle in Commercial Street on the same date, the court was told.

Magistrates said that the offences were so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified as it was his second possession of an offensive weapon offence, but that they would suspend this as he had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

Newton, who is of no fixed address, was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £135.