A JUDGE has called for market bosses to act after pens with concealed blades were said to have been sold on an East Lancashire market.

Andrew Downie, 26, of Whalley Road, Accrington, admitted possessing a blade in a public place when he appeared before Burnley Crown Court.

Paul Richardson, prosecuting, said Downie was seen in Royds Street, Accrington, last October and appeared agitated and nervous. Police searched him and found an item which looked like a pen, but had a hidden blade.

Downie said he had been given the item, which he described as a letter opener, by a friend.

Judge Raymond Bennett described the pens as "nasty little weapons" and said: "If these weapons are on sale, I hope the authorities will consider what powers they have in respect of them."

Anthony Cross, defending, said the pens were easily bought on Accrington market.

The court heard Downie was on invalidity benefit and had been receiving treatment for alcoholism.

His case was adjourned until May 28 for pre-sentence reports. But after the hearing, Accrington market superintendent David Bullock said: "As far as I know, they are not on sale here.

"If something like this was being misused or sold to young people, we would have strong words with traders about who they sell to.

"We sell screwdrivers, hammers and cutlery. In the wrong hands they can also be misused. We have to expect adults to use things for their proper purpose.

"It is hard to comment without seeing these pens, but it sounds like they have a lawful purpose if they are for opening letters."

A spokeswoman for Lancashire Police said: "If anyone sees anything which they feel may be of danger to the public they can contact us and we will investigate."

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