Bulwell man given suspended sentence for possessing a knife after DNA analysis

A Bulwell man who attempted to hide a knife from police by dropping it through a drain cover has been sentenced – thanks to DNA analysis.
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Nathan Russell, 30, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on August 25 where he was sentenced to seven months in prison – suspended for 15 months – for possession of a bladed article.

He was also given a curfew order until November 24 and ordered to pay a fine of £120, along with additional costs of £120.

Russell was pulled over and searched by police as he drove towards Nottingham city centre on the afternoon of April 19 last year.

Nathan Russell was sentenced to seven months - suspended for 15 months - at Nottingham Crown CourtNathan Russell was sentenced to seven months - suspended for 15 months - at Nottingham Crown Court
Nathan Russell was sentenced to seven months - suspended for 15 months - at Nottingham Crown Court

As officers pulled alongside Russell on Sneinton Dale he turned suddenly into a side street and from there into a dead end.

When they spotted his parked car around two minutes later they could find nothing incriminating – until they looked into a nearby drain and found a locking style knife sitting on top of a pile of leaves.

Russel, 30, of Bromley Close, Bulwell, was arrested on suspicion of possessing a bladed article.

Despite his denials he was later linked to the knife by DNA analysis of the handle.

Inspector Mark Stanley, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We take knife crime incredibly seriously and simply will not tolerate people who carry them in public.

"This incident is a good example of our proactive approach to tackling this issue and should serve as a warning to those who think it’s acceptable to go out armed with a deadly weapon.

"If we catch you in possession of a dangerous weapon you will be arrested and prosecuted.

"It's no excuse to say it was for your own protection or you were carrying it for someone else.

"Also, as this case demonstrates, it will also be very difficult to claim it isn’t yours.

“The law is very clear if you choose to carry a weapon you put your future in danger."

The Criminal Justice Act 1988 makes it an offence to have an article with a blade or point in a public place without good reason or lawful excuse.

An exemption applies to folding pocket knives that have a blade of less than three inches.

The maximum penalty for committing such an offence is up to two years imprisonment.