A teenager arrested on suspicion of knife and drug crimes was not put before the courts for more than two years.

Blackburn magistrates heard Harley Guest, who eventually faced a single charge of possessing a knife in a public place, had since turned his life around.

District Judge Alexandra Preston said she was disappointed to see it had taken nearly three years for Guest to be brought to court.

"You should have been dealt with in the youth court as you were only 17 at the time," said District Judge Preston.

"There has been no offending since and the author of the pre-sentence report says you have changed remarkably since this offence was committed.

"You have matured and cut ties with the individuals with whom you were offending."

Guest, 20, of Grasmere Road, Stockport, pleaded guilty to possessing a knife in a public place.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 100 hours unpaid work.

He was ordered to pay £85 costs and £114 victim surcharge.

Scott Parker, prosecuting, said in November 2021 police had been called to Darwen Mobiles on Duckworth Street, Darwen, to investigate reports that one or both of two men in the shop had knives.

"He was arrested for possession of a knife, affray and intention to supply drugs," said Mr Parker.

Celia O'Keefe, defending, said at the time of the offence Guest was estranged from his family.

"He is now reunited with them and lives with his father who is in court to support him," said Miss O'Keefe.

"He is not working but he competes in martial arts competitions and gets an income from that."