A 31-YEAR-OLD ex-soldier had a Rambo style hunting knife with a 10 inch blade in his bag when he was searched by police.

Blackburn magistrates heard officers had been alerted by a member of the public who saw Benjamin John Hammerton with the weapon in his hand.

Hammerton, of Sarah Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to possessing a knife in a public place.

He was ordered to do 40 hours unpaid work and pay £85 costs, £60 victim surcharge and £180 criminal court charge.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said: “There is no suggestion the knife had been used in a threatening manner.”

Ghaffer Khan, defending, said on the day of the offence his client’s wife had packed his bags and told him to leave.

“When he checked his bag the knife, which he got in the army, fell out,” said Mr Khan. “He had it in his hand briefly, then put it back.”