A DUDLEY man possessed a large rock in a sock as a weapon in public, Dudley Magistrates' Court has heard.

Jack Palmer, aged 20, of Jockey Fields, Dudley, pleaded guilty to possessing a large rock in a sock as an offensive weapon in Caroline Street. He also admitted possessing a hunting knife on the same street. He received a 12 week prison sentence suspended for 18 months and was also given a four-week curfew. The 20-year-old was also ordered to pay a surcharge and costs totalling £472.

The following cases were also heard at Dudley Magistrates' Court last week.

Samuel Jones, aged 22, of Vernon Road, Wolverhampton, pleaded guilty to failing to stop driving when asked by a police officer in Coseley and admitted driving while not every car light was in good working order. He was fined £100 and ordered to pay a £30 surcharge and £50 costs.

Laura-Leigh Beech, aged 37, of Pool Lane, Oldbury, pleaded guilty to assault by beating. She received a community order with a curfew and a restraining order. She was also ordered to pay a £90 surcharge and £300 in costs.

Joanne Handley, aged 44, of Wolverhampton Street, Dudley, pleaded guilty to stealing £130 worth of meat from Waitrose in Stourbridge. She also admitted breaching probation requirements. She was jailed for four weeks due to a previous record of offending and was ordered to pay £130 in compensation and a £122 surcharge.

Diane Graham, aged 58, of Brookfield Way, Dudley, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress. She received a restraining order and was fined £366. She was also ordered to pay a £36 surcharge and £135 costs.

Marcus Henry, aged 28, of Parkside Road, Halesowen, admitted stealing £80 worth of gin from Waitrose in Stourbridge and also pleaded guilty to stealing crisps and pink gin worth £21.50 from a Co-Op in Halesowen. He received a 12 month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay compensation and a surcharge totalling £122.50.

Jamie O'Brien, aged 29, of Stepping Stones, Stourbridge, pleaded guilty to driving over the legal alcohol limit and admitted driving without insurance or a licence. He was ordered to pay fines, a surcharge and costs totalling £367 and was disqualified from holding a driving licence for 18 months.

Mitchell Priest, aged 32, of Dreadnought Road, Pensnett, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated threatening behaviour. He was fined £656 and ordered to pay £150 in compensation, a £65 surcharge and £135 in costs.

Claire Kendall, aged 45, of Oxford Street, Dudley, pleaded guilty to driving over the legal alcohol limit on Priory Road. She received a community order and must carry out 150 hours of unpaid work over the next 12 months. She was also ordered to pay a £92 surcharge and £135 costs and was also disqualified from holding a driving licence for 30 months.

David Pearson, aged 48, of Birchtree Gardens, Quarry Bank, pleaded guilty to driving over the legal alcohol limit in Oldbury. He was received a community order and must carry out 100 hours of unpaid work over the next 12 months. He was also ordered to pay a £92 surcharge and £135 costs and was also disqualified from holding a driving licence for 24 months.

Wayne Bird, aged 45, of Bull Street, Lower Gornal, was found guilty of disorderly behaviour while drunk on Bank Road. He received a six months conditional discharge and was ordered to pay a £21 surcharge.