A 64-YEAR-OLD Stroud man has been handed a suspended prison sentence for carrying a blade.

Martyn Tandy, of Gloucester Street, Stroud, pleaded guilty to possessing a knife blade or sharp pointed article in a public place, at a hearing at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on January 18.

He was caught carrying a five inch blade in Stroud on July 1 last year.

Tandy was given a four month jail sentence, suspended for a year.

The court records show that the sentence was suspended ‘as there is a prospect of rehabilitation’.

The defendant was ordered to have treatment for alcohol dependency through the organisation Change Grow Live for six months, within the next 12 months.

The 64-year-old was also ordered to pay £194 to the court.

This included a £154 surcharge to fund victim services and costs of £40.