A MAN who had a row with his wife and wandered the streets with a knife in his pocket said he was not going to harm anyone, only himself.

Aaron Haines appeared before magistrates in Worcester charged with possession of a bladed object in Malvern on January 29.

The court heard how Haines, 37, of Britten Drive, had been arguing with his wife before storming out of the house, taking a kitchen knife with him.

Prosecutor Rhiannon Lucas told the court: “Police were called to his address to be given the information that he had left with a knife. He was on foot so they kept an eye on him before exiting the vehicle and informing him he was going to be searched.”

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At this point, he was asked by the officers if he had a knife, which he denied. They found the kitchen knife, which had a serrated edge, in his back pocket and he was arrested.

In his police interview he admitted having the blade with him, saying it was so he could self-harm. He added he did not want to harm anyone else, only himself.

Sunil Jagatia, representing Haines, said: “He had had a very heated argument with his wife and decided to walk out. He has since managed to find a labourer’s job and mentally he feels well. He and his wife said sorry to each other.

"You are fully aware knife crime is a serious matter but I hope the court will consider dealing with this by way of a community order."

The court heard Haines’ mental health issues were linked to not being in full-time work and that the hope was he would be able to move on with his life now he has a job again.

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Haines, who was formerly known as Aaron Panse, had no relevant previous convictions on his record, though did have outstanding court debts and a previous conviction from 2015, though this was not in relation to knives.

Haines pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on February 27.

Chair of the bench Sarah Murray decided to issue a 12-month community order with 60 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

She said: “Possession of a knife is really serious offence but given your history and current circumstances we are very pleased you now have a job. We hope it will prevent you from committing any further offences."

Along with the community order, Haines was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £90 and costs of £135.