Knuckle dusters and heroin found during a search on Powys home

A heroin addict who had two knuckle dusters at his home, said he did not realise they are now classed as offensive weapons.

Matthew Ridgeway admitted possessing 0.3 grams of diamorphine at his home on January 8 2026 and two knuckle dusters, when he appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Officers from the serious organised crime unit conducted a search at the 32 year-old’s address of Sunny Court, Llys Heulog on January 8 2026.

Prosecuting, Mr James Sprunks said the police discovered three foil wraps and the two black knuckle dusters during the search.

Later in January, Ridgeway attended a voluntary interview at Llandrindod Wells Police Station, where he admitted the heroin wraps were his and were for his own use.

He said he kept the knuckle dusters at his home and he did not realise they were now classed as offensive weapons.

Mr Sprunks said tests were carried out on the wraps and they were found to be worth about £10 per wrap, giving a total of £30.

He said Ridgeway has 18 convictions for 31 offences but his last offence was six years ago.

Mitigating, Mr Gareth Walters said: “Mr Ridgeway is a heroin addict and he has been since 2017 but for the last 18 months or so he has been working with Kaleidoscope to reduce his usage and he has reduced his use and he is on a methadone script but he is still an addict.

“Knuckle dusters did not used to be offensive weapons but they are classed as offensive weapons now and it was more out of ignorance than anything else that he had them.

“One was in the packaging as he had bought it online.

“He has done very well in the last six years not to come before the court and he has also battled with alcohol addiction in the past. This was a bump in the road rather than anything else.”

Chair of the magistrates, Mrs Ingrid Gallagher said: “We are heartened that you are making good progress, it’s obviously been a very difficult journey for you but you are well on your way. We hope you do keep on with it.”

They fined Ridgeway £240 for the possession of drugs and knuckle dusters and he was ordered to pay a £96 surcharge and £85 costs.

They also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and knuckle dusters.