A DRUNKEN racecourse worker stumbled into trouble after he stopped a nearby policeman and revealed his illegal knife.

Derek French, aged 46, was staggering along Lowesmoor after a night in the West Midland Tavern, on the corner of Padmore Street and Lowesmoor Place, when he spotted police at a disturbance further up the road.

Worcester Magistrates heard how the Pitchcroft employee was unsure if his locking knife was legal to carry and asked a policeman he recognised for his opinion and was then subsequently arrested.

Prosecuting Jackie Rogers said the incident occurred on Friday, May 30, at around 8.30pm.

"The offence is one of being in possession of a locking knife," said Miss Rogers.

"The police constable saw the person he knows as Mr French. He was behaving in an intoxicated manner and was staggering around.

Locked knife

"He pulled up his shirt revealing a locked knife. He took it off his belt and passed it to him."

French of Dent Close, Worcester, admitted carrying a blade in a public place, but said it had only been for work purposes.

Defending, Charles Hamer said his client had only just started work at the racecourse and had wanted to find out if the knife he used in his employment was safe to use.

"He lifts up his T-shirt and says he has a knife and asks, 'is this illegal or legal?'. However, into the police station he goes," said Mr Hamer.

"There is a defence that if a knife is used for employment purposes and provided that it can be proved, then he can be acquitted.

"Unfortunately, there is the gap of time between 5pm to 8.30pm when he doesn't first go home to dispose of the knife."

French was given a conditional discharge of 12 months and ordered to pay £60 costs.