Man caught carrying knife in Willington

Danny Eeles was told to expect a prison sentence as it was his second conviction of knife possession, which brings with it a mandatory minimum six-month prison sentence on its own, regardless of the other offences committed.

It follows the defendant’s guilty pleas to two counts of having an article with a blade or point in public, arising from an incident in Willington, County Durham, on May 18.

During the short plea hearing at Durham Crown Court, Eeles, who appeared via video link from Holme House Prison, Stockton, also admitted other counts of affray and damaging property.

The property damaged was said to have been a Suzuki Vitara belonging to a woman.

Eleanor Bohill, for Eeles, asked if a Probation Service background report could be drawn up on the defendant prior to sentence as she said his last conviction goes back to 2021, when he received a suspended prison sentence.

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The court heard, however, he also served a lengthy prison sentence for a robbery, committed at a Stockton launderette, in late December 2016, when he was holding two knives.

Judge Nathan Adams agreed and remanded the 36-year-old defendant, of Aged Miners’ Homes, Willington, to remain in custody pending sentence.

Adjourning the case until July 16, Judge Adams told Eeles: “I make it clear the most likely outcome will be a prison sentence, but it will be a matter for the judge on that day.”