A judge has told a 23-year-old man he is hanging around with the wrong people after he was caught by police with a telescopic baton in his man bag.

Omari Gray was the passenger in a cloned Mini which was spotted by police driving through Blackburn at around 2pm on November 9, 2021.

Preston Crown Court heard officers stopped the vehicle at Nova Scotia retail park and both the defendant and the driver of the car were arrested.

Prosecuting, Cecilia Pritchard said Omari resisted arrested with the police having to take him to the floor using baton strikes to the legs.

She said: “Police found he was carrying a man bag which was around his neck.

“When they searched this they found a telescopic baton and his drivers licence and other personal items.

“Gray was interviewed and denied any knowledge of the baton and said the bag was his brother’s.

“He said he didn’t know the baton was in the bag and maintained that story until the day of his trial in January this year, when he pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon.

“He is 23 with no previous convictions except as a juvenile.”

Judge Simon Medland KC said: “You were with the wrong sort of people. If you mix with people like that you will end up in serious trouble.

“You should have nothing to do with batons or anything of that nature.”

Gray, of Pinewood Drive, Nelson, was handed a 12 month community order and 10 rehabilitation activity days.

He was also ordered to pay costs of £200 and a £400 fine.