A TOTAL of 14 people went before magistrates last month charge with possessing offensive weapons, from knives and knuckledusters to a baseball bat and a wooden chair leg.

The cases were heard at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court as well as Kirklees Magistrates' Court, with the defendants from across the district.

One person was jailed, one fined, and another received a conditional discharge. Three defendants face trials at crown court, and four will be tried before magistrates. A further three have been sent to crown court for sentencing. The final case remains at magistrates court after being adjourned.

All the cases have been before the courts in the last month.

  • Benjamin Sanderson, 40, of Upper Piccadilly, Bradford, has been jailed for six months after admitting possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, namely an axe, at the junction of North Parade and Rawson Square in the city centre on December 18, 2020. He also admitted the burglary of Lunch Booth, at the same location on the same day. He must also pay a victim surcharge of £128 and costs of £85.
  • Ryan Glancy, 39, of Stoneyhurst Square, Bradford, faces charges of possessing an offensive weapon in public - a knife, on May 17, at The Parade, Bradford, as well as attempted robbery. He is also charged with robbery and criminal damage at Copgrove Close, Bradford, on the same day. His case was sent to Bradford Crown Court for trial due to the seriousness of the offences, and will next be before the courts on June 16.
  • Mark Andrew Cawley, 32, of Chapel Street, Bradford, faces a trial at Bradford Crown Court over charges of affray, assault by beating, and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, namely a baseball bat. The charges relate to an incident at Olicana House on Chapel Street, on May 7, 2021. The defendant will next appear at court on June 16.
  • Justin Horniak, 18, of Halton Place, Bradford, faces a trial at Bradford Crown Court over charges of possessing cocaine, heroin and cannabis with intent to supply on June 23, 2019, as well as possession of an offensive weapon, namely a lock knife, at Gaythorne Road, on the same date. The next court hearing will take place on June 15.
  • Daniel Mayo, 39, of Gratton Road, Bradford, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a public place - a kitchen knife, at Grattan Road, Bradford, on April 20, 2021. His case has been committed to Bradford Crown Court for sentencing on June 9.
  • Harris Zaheed, 19, of Clarkson Avenue, Heckmondwike, has pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, namely a knuckleduster, at West Park Road, Batley on Februrary 17, and possessing a large quantity of class a drug heroin with intent to supply, at Clarkson Avenue the following day. His case has been committed to Leeds Crown Court for sentencing on June 8.
  • Dillon Thompson, 19, of Outlet Grange, Shipley, has been committed to Bradford Crown Court for sentencing over a charge of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, namely a wooden chair leg. It relates to an incident on October 19, 2020, at the junction of the Aire Valley Road and Bradford Road in Keighley. He has admitted the offence and will next appear in court on June 10.
  • Thomas Demeter, 25, of Chellow Grange Road, Bradford, pleaded not guilty to the possession of an offensive weapon in public - a dagger type blade, as well as possession of class b drug, amphetamines. The charges date back to July 26, 2020, in Duncombe Road. His case has been transferred to Kirklees Magistrates Court for a trial and will next appear at court on August 31.
  • Marshall Coakley, 18, of Harewood Road, Keighley, faces a trial at Kirklees Magistrates' Court over charges relating to an incident in Halifax on January 12, 2021. He is charged with possessing an offensive weapon, namely a baseball bat, threatening someone with an offensive weapon in a public place in Union Street in Halifax, participating in a gathering of more than two people in a public outdoor place in a Tier 4 area and possessing a small quantity of class b drug cannabis. His case will next be in court on July 19.
  • Leanne Mayfield, 55, of Brompton Road, Bradford, faces a trial at Kirklees Magistrates' Court over charges of possessing an offensive weapon, namely a hammer, and criminal damage on March 8, 2021, at Brompton Road, Bradford, and failing to surrender to court on May 12. The defendant has already pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer at Trafalgar House police station in Bradford on the same day. The case will next be in court on August 24.
  • Julie Riley, 51, of Fleece Street, Bradford, faces trial at magistrates court over a charge of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, namely a knife, on May 6, 2020, at Thorn Street, Bradford. A trial is expected to take place on October 28, 2021.
  • Robert Tatar, 33, of Camellia Mount, Bradford, has been fined £200 after admitting the possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, namely a metal knife, on October 23, 2020, at Frank Street Bradford. He must also pay a victim surcharge of £34 and costs of £85. An order was also made to deprive the defendant of the knife.
  • Michalko Farkas, 22, of Pembrook Street, West Bowling, has received a conditional discharge from magistrates after admitting possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, namely a knuckleduster, on September 28, 2019, at Tudor Court, Swarland Grove in Bradford. Last month magistrates conditionally discharged him for 12 months, and he must pay £85 in costs and a victim surcharge of £21. The knuckleduster must also be forfeited so it can be destroyed.
  • Zahim Shah, 43, of Leeds Road Bradford, faces charges of possessing a knife in a public place - a curved blade with a long black handle, on November 5, 2020, at the junction of Amberley Street and Leeds Road. The case was adjourned until June 25.