A TEENAGER had an extendable baton in his transit van near the M5 junction at Wychbold after ordering it online.

David Joyce admitted possession of the offensive weapon in a public place - Rashwood, Wychbold near junction 5 of the M5 and the junction with the A38 when he appeared before magistrates.

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The 19-year-old was found with the weapon during a police search of his white Ford Transit van on December 11 last year at around 2.15am.

Sumreen Afsar, prosecuting, said the weapon was in luggage behind the passenger seat.

Mrs Afsar said he did have previous convictions but there was nothing similar on his record.

"The defendant stated the bag and the contents belonged to him," said the prosecutor.

His previous convictions included burglary with intent to steal from 2019 when he was still a youth.

She said the baton had not been used to threaten or cause fear.

Sam Lamsdale, defending, said this was her client's first offence for any type of weapons matter.

"He had ordered this item on Wish. He believed if they were dispatched to a UK address they must be legal otherwise how could he have access to them so easily on the internet? It wasn't ordered on the dark web or anything."

Mrs Lamsdale said he had bought the baton as a present for his brother-in-law.

Joyce, of Mere Road, Lutterworth, had no mental health issues or health conditions that would prevent him completing any work she said.

"He does casual labouring when he can get it," said Mrs Lamsdale.

Although magistrates did not have a probation officer in court to assist they said they felt able, with the information provided, to order a 12-month community order with an unpaid work requirement of 50 hours.

These hours were reduced from 75 to reflect Joyce's guilty plea at the earliest opportunity.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £95 and court costs of £185.

They ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the baton.

A fines collection order was made which grants extra powers to recover the debt.