A SURVIVALIST was found with three knives when he was chased off private land by the owner and his dog and was advised by a judge to join the 'territorial army' if he wanted to be a soldier.

Joshua Lawton, aged 20, of Edwards Lane, Sneachill, east of Worcester was found with three knives following a police search after a startled homeowner and his dog gave chase.

He admitted possession of the blades - a butterfly knife, a Virginia lock knife and a lock knife ('Gerber') on the A44 near Egdon on December 30 last year - when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Friday.

Jackie Rogers, prosecuting, said father-of-two Nathan Smith, staying in a static touring caravan while his home is built, was woken at 4.30am by his German Shepherd barking.

Mrs Rogers said: "He knew from the tone of that bark there was something wrong. He got up and he could hear male voices outside. He ran outside and released his dog who ran off towards where the voices had come from."

Mr Smith could see two male figures who appeared to be dressed in green camouflage. He shouted at the males who then started to run. Mr Smith rang his mother who then called the police. Mr Smith then followed the males in his vehicle. During the incident there was an alleged confrontation between Mr Smith and a youth (aged 17) who cannot be named for legal reasons and who denies possession of a bladed article (butterfly knife) in a public place. Police then arrived and searched Lawton. Initially they found two knives, one in his trouser pocket and the other in his sock. A third knife was found near the entrance to the field, also belonging to Lawton. Mrs Rogers said Mr Smith had been 'very shaken up' by the incident.

Joanne Outhwaite, defending, said Lawton had entered a guilty plea at the earliest available opportunity and had been co-operative with police in interview. She said Lawton had been at a friend's address and had been unable to sleep and so went out walking.

Ms Outhwaite said: "He participates in survival type sports and activities (Stirling Airsoft). He didn't appreciate they were on another person's private land. He accepted his responsibility and possession of all three of the knives. He accepts he ran because he was concerned about what Mr Smith might do to them. The weapons were not used to threaten anyone or brandished in any way."

Lawton was of previous good character and works as an apprentice engineer the court was told. District judge Nigel Cadbury said: "He should join the Territorial Army (now called the Army Reserve) rather than doing this sort of thing, wandering around in the middle of the night on other people's land. It must have been a very frightening experience for the occupier of this home when he was woken in the middle of the night with his wife and children present by the dog and with you and your friend on their land."

Lawton was handed an eight week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £85 towards costs and an £80 victim surcharge. The judge also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the knives.