A probation report has been ordered for a Derry man accused of threatening ‘a rival’ while in possession of knives.
Adam Nolan, 24, of Moss Park, admits possessing offensive weapons in a public place, namely two knives, on December 13 of last year.
A Public Prosecution Service (PPS) representative said on that date it was reported that Nolan was in possession of knives on his own street.
A taxi driver said he overheard a phone conversation between a passenger and the defendant in which arrangements were made to ‘confront each other at a mobile shop’. As they approached Nolan was seen ‘brandishing two knives’. He left then returned without them and there was said to have been ‘no physical contact’, according to the witness.
During police interview Nolan admitted possessing the weapons as he ‘felt threatened by another individual’. He said he brought the knives ‘to scare’ the man and at no time did he intend to harm him. The 24-year-old also admitted that he was intoxicated.
The court heard Nolan has no previous convictions, only cautions.
Deputy District Judge Sean O’Hare said it ‘seems it wasn’t just a case of having a knife’ as ‘the intention was to scare a rival’.
Given the circumstances, defence barrister Catherine Devlin requested a pre-sentence report for April 27.
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