A teenager from Bolton was caught out by a recent change to the law when a Samurai sword and knuckle dusters were discovered at his home.

Kian Sivori, 18, was found to have been keeping the weapons when police called on November 4 last year while investigating his suspect driving.

On arrival, officers found the weapons which Sivori, who was brought before Bolton Magistrates' Court this week, had apparently been collecting as a hobby along with a small amount of cannabis which seemed to be intended for personal use.

Adam Whittaker, defending, said: “It is an unusual case because the law changed last July and it was not widely publicised.”

He added: “Some of the police officers I’ve spoken to since have admitted that they didn’t even know it was an offence.”

The Bolton News:

An example of a Samurai sword

According to Mr Whittaker, police had in fact seized and had to return machetes from Sivori on a previous occasion before the change in the law last July made possessing weapons in a private place illegal.

Mr Whittaker drew upon the example of an acquaintance of his who was an ex-commando and had kept hold of a knife as a memento, which he was now worried he would have to give up thanks to the new law.

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But Mr Whittaker admitted that collecting weapons like this “didn’t seem to be a particularly healthy hobby".

Vincent Yip, prosecuting, told the court how police had called round after seeing Sivori driving in a car they suspected had been stolen on Church Street, Little Lever on October 31.

On investigating further, officers found that he had been driving without insurance and with only a provisional licence.

It was only when they arrived at his home that they discovered the samurai sword, knuckle dusters and drugs.

Sivori, of Elm Road, Little Lever, had already pleaded guilty to each of his four offences, possessing a weapon in a private place, driving without insurance, driving without a licence and possession of drugs.

As such magistrate Alex Walker sentenced Sivori to a 12-month community order, including 20 days of rehabilitation activities and ordered costs of £280 to be paid.

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