A WETHERSPOONS pub customer who was found with a large military knife in his possession could face jail.  

John Sloan, 61, was seen with the seven-inch blade at the Bransty Arch Wetherspoons pub in Whitehaven on February 6.

Outlining the case at Workington Magistrates’ Court, prosecutor Pamela Fee said police were contacted by a member of the public who reported a man with a large hunting knife in his hand.

Officers attended and saw Sloan with a group of others. His bag was searched and a knife was found. It was described by police as a large knife in a metal sheath with a further knife that folded within the sheath.

Sloan was arrested and fully admitted the offence during police interview. He confirmed he was in possession of the knife and said it was a World War Two replica.

Ms Fee said this was the third time the defendant had appeared before the court for a knife offence and magistrates would ‘clearly have concerns’ about his behaviour.

The offence was committed while Sloan was subject to a suspended sentence order after he had taken a sword to The Whittington Cat pub in Whitehaven in July last year.

Sloan, of Meadow Road, Whitehaven, pleaded guilty to possessing a knife blade in a public place.

John Cooper, defending, said: “It’s going to be in excess of what he had last time. It should be committed for sentence.

“I think there are some significant issues with him mentally that would benefit from some help of the probation service.”

Magistrates felt the offence was outside of their sentencing powers due to it being the defendant’s third offence committed while he was subject to a suspended sentence order.

Sloan will be sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court on March 26.