by Danny Boyle

A former carer pocketed a knuckle duster and bag of drugs – after claiming he found them while mowing a church lawn.

Phillip Compton said he was volunteering to clear the grounds of a Margate church when he stumbled across the stash.

So he claimed he put the weapon, which he thought he could sell for scrap, and the amphetamine in his pocket.

Compton was stopped by police in the Ford Transit van he had been living in on July 13 last year.

He was unable to explain why he had the knuckle duster or drugs, Canterbury Crown Court heard.

Officers also found two lock knives in a toolbox, which Compton claimed he used for gardening and house clearance.

The 28-year-old, who now lives with his parents in Hastings Avenue, Margate, was jailed for a total of six months today.

Pony-tailed Compton – said to have been "heavily involved" with the church – sat clutching a crucifix around his neck in the dock.

The court heard he worked as a carer for autistic adults and children with learning difficulties until being signed off work with stress and anxiety in February.

Lucy Luttman, defending, said: "He had been undertaking voluntary work in a church in Margate.

"He was clearing the grounds and discovered the knuckle duster. He picked it up and put it in his pocket. He believed it was copper so retained it so he could sell it.

"He also found the amphetamine while clearing the church grounds. He was mowing the lawn and the bag was on the grass. He picked it up and put it in his back pocket. It wasn’t for his own use, but he admits it was in his possession."

James Bilsland, prosecuting, said a flick knife was also found when Compton was stopped in the same van a week later.

Compton said someone else could have put the blade in his toolbox.

When he was pulled over by police in a Peugeot 206 on February 26 this year, a lock knife was found in his jacket as well as two bags of cannabis and amphetamine.

Miss Luttman said the knife was used for fishing.

She added: "He has an explanation for all the offences. He wasn’t in public brandishing the knife or taking it out for self-defence."

Judge Nigel Van Der Bijl said: "Carrying a knife is extremely serious. The country is asking judges to be severe when it comes to the possession of knives."

Compton will serve half his six-month sentence.

Compton was found guilty in his absence at Margate Magistrates’ Court of two charges of possessing an offensive weapon; two charges of possessing a bladed article; possessing a class B drug; two charges of driving while disqualified and without insurance; driving without an MOT; and failing to surrender to custody.

He also admitted possessing an offensive weapon; three charges of possessing class B drugs; failing to surrender to custody; and driving while disqualified and without insurance.