After a PC noticed a knife protruding from the pocket of a 19-year-old man in the centre of Colwyn Bay it was found that he was also carrying a second knife.

Benjamin Atkins of Bodfor Street, Rhyl, was spared immediate jail on Tuesday after pleading guilty to having the knives, one of them a lock knife. He was given a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for a year, and ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work with 20 days rehabilitation requirement and £200 costs.

His solicitor Donald Roberts told magistrates at Llandudno that Atkins had psychological difficulties. He had an interest in weapons “but is not a violent person in any way”.

Atkins, accompanied in court by a social worker, had no previous convictions.

James Neary, prosecuting, said the officer had spotted a silver piece of metal jutting from Atkins’ pocket in Seaview Road, Colwyn Bay, on October 14, and arrested him. When he placed him on the ground a man with Atkins ran towards the officer but stopped when the PC drew his baton. The second knife was spotted when he was being placed in a police vehicle.

During a police interview Atkins claimed he’d picked up the wrong coat, not realising that knives were in the pockets.

Court chairman Darren Campbell told the defendant: “It’s a serious offence, not only serious but dangerous walking around with knives in your pockets. We are concerned about your interest in weapons.”