A TEENAGER has avoided jail after he was caught with a machete he'd bought for farmyard activities.

Luke Dyer - also known as Rothery - 18, of Cleckheaton Road, in Low Moor, Bradford was found guilty of possessing a knife blade or sharp pointed article in a public place, at Kirklees Magistrates' Court last Friday.

He had pleaded not guilty to the offence on August 2.

Dyer was caught with a machete in Wakefield Road on June 13.

Court records show the magistrates found it "unjust" to impose a minimum sentence of six months due to his age and there being "no aggravating features".

This included the court accepting Dyer's evidence that he had lawfully purchased the machete to use for farmyard activities but could have left it at home.

The 18-year-old was handed a community order instead, which includes 150 hours of unpaid work, to be completed in the next year.

Dyer was also ordered to pay £405 in total.

This includes a £95 surcharge to fund victim services and £310 in costs.

Dyer will pay this off in monthly installments of £50 from December 9.

An order was also made for the machete to be forfeited and destroyed by police.

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