Knife found on worker after he collapsed at Shrewsbury railway station
A construction worker was found illegally carrying a knife after he collapsed onto the track at Shrewsbury railway station, a court heard.
Aaron Seward, 38, was spared a jail term for having a blade in public, after a court was told it was inside his tool bag.
At his sentencing, the town’s crown court heard he was actually was suffering from low blood pressure and collapsed while on his way to a property he was repairing.
The court heard Seward was initially arrested by British Transport Police on suspicion of trespassing on the railway on June 27.
Miss Sati Ruck, prosecuting, said: “He was seen by a member of the public on the train track, who noticed the knife. The transport police confirmed that the defendant was observed climbing on to the platform and leaving the scene. He was stopped and told he would be searched.
“A lock knife with a blade of 3ins-4ins in length was found. When he was arrested and interviewed he said 'no comment'.”
Seward, of Weybridge, in Woodside, Telford, pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article ahead of the start of a magistrates court trial after initially denying the matter.
She said he had previous convictions including for a similar offence in 2009 when he was caught with meat cleaver and a knuckle duster.
In mitigation Mr Stephen Scully, solicitor advocate, said Seward was heading to a job in Wem when he was arrested after catching a train in Oakengates.
“He has issues with low blood pressure and When he got to Shrewsbury he appeared to have collapsed and fell onto the track. As he was carrying his bag members of the public noticed the shiny items,” Mr Scully said.
For the offence Seward was given a 12-month community order with requirements to attend 30 rehabilitation activity days and he must attend 19 Thinking Skills sessions with probation.
