A man who took two knives to court had been “foolish” rather than intending to cause disruption, a judge said when he imposed a twelve months community order.

Justin Roberts, aged 34, unemployed, of Harcourt Road, Llandudno, must undergo alcohol treatment and carry out 120 hours unpaid work. He admitted two charges of possessing a five-inch kitchen knife and a folding hunting knife.

Judge Huw Rees at Caernarfon crown court told him: "You must never take knives into any public building.” But he accepted there were matters in Roberts’s background and he took an “exceptional” course.

The judge said Roberts had been living in a car and in his rucksack were other items consistent with living outdoors.

Elen Owen, defending, said :”There are clearly issues here. He’s crying out for some assistance.”

He had turned up at Llandudno magistrates’ court with a large rucksack and a security officer discovered the kitchen knife and tent pegs.

The prosecution said Roberts became aggressive and obstructive and police were alerted. When he was arrested the second knife had been discovered. The defendant said he had no intention to harm anyone.