Late-night shopping spree lands Sutton man in hot water

Mansfield Magistrates were told how Joel Wright (24), of Grosvenor Place, was approached by police at a bus stop on Sutton’s Devonshire Square at about 1am.

Robert Carr, prosecuting, said police were responding to reports of two men fighting when they found Wright with glazed eyes and slurred speech.

Said Mr Carr: “Police found the knuckle-duster in his jeans back pocket jeans and he admitted having cocaine.

“He reached down into his sock and produced a small bag. When interviewed by police he said he was returning from a wedding and bought the cocaine for £30.”

Yvonne Wragg, defending, said wright had bumped into a friend while walking home from a wedding and bought the knuckle-duster and the cocaine from the same person.

She added: “He says the only way someone would have seen the knuckle duster was at the point of purchase.

“He immediately handed the knuckle-duster and the cocaine over when stopped by police. He also showed remorse when arrested.”

A probation officer said Wright, who is a registered alcoholic, collected knuckle-dusters for a hobby and had now thrown them all away.

She added: “Mr wright uses alcohol as a coping mechanism and there had been a bereavement recently.”

Wright was ordered to be at home between 8pm-7am except for one week to attend a paid-for family holiday on Europe.

He was also ordered to pay £45 court costs and a £60 victim surcharge.