Shouldham man Zachary Mason in King’s Lynn court being sentenced for drug-driving possession of knife

A 39-year-old who was pulled over for drug-driving and caught with a knife in his pocket has been handed a community order.

Zachary Mason, of New Road in Shouldham, appeared at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, where he was sentenced for two offences.

In a previous hearing, Mason admitted drug-driving - as well as having an offensive weapon in a public place.

Prosecutors told the court that Mason was pulled over on the A10 at South Runcton at 8am on June 27 last year as he had a lawn mower in the back of his trailer.

Police initially thought that Mason had been drink-driving - but further tests revealed that he in fact had 3.6mcg of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, a cannabis breakdown, in his system.

The legal limit to drive is 2mcg.

While being searched, police found a Japanese fighting knife in Mason’s trouser pocket, which he said is used for maintenance jobs at his work.

Appearing unrepresented in court, Mason explained he had the knife to perform manual work for an estate agent.

“I don’t find myself to be a danger to society - I was in a lay-by with a police officer and wasn’t using it in public,” he said.

“It was a specific tool I used. I never intended to use it as a weapon.

“The knife didn’t travel with me to Tesco or the pub - it stayed in my work trousers.”

Mason was handed a 12-month community order, which will require him to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and ten rehabilitation activity days.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £80. Mason will also pay a victim surcharge of £114 and court costs of £40.