A COWLING man has pleaded guilty to being in possession of a bladed weapon in a medical centre.

Robert Smith, 44, of Collinge Road, had entered the Cross Hills medical practice, in Holme Lane, on November 12.

Prosecuting at Skipton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, Rob Yates said Smith had joined the queue to the reception desk. When he got to the desk he became disorderly when the reception staff told him he could not have an appointment because he was not registered at that practice.

“He began swearing and became abusive saying it was an emergency” said Mr Yates. An off-duty police officer in the queue intervened to try and calm the defendant down. He said he appeared intoxicated.”

Smith continued to be abusive towards the off-duty officer.

He was taken to the floor with the help of the receptionist and the police were called.

After a search a bladed weapon was found in his pocket.

Mr Yates said the incident was raised to a more serious category by the fact the blade element on the tool was open and locked in place.

Defending, Peter Hamill said his client had initially denied the charge because he claimed the ‘weapon’ was not a knife but a multi tool.

He changed his plea to guilty for being in possession of a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place prior to the trial going ahead.

“It was in his pocket because he had been using it legitimately to strip some wire at the weekend after working on a motorbike and had put it in his pocket. He did not realise it was there.

“He did not threaten anyone with it at the surgery and it was only found after he was searched by police officers.

Mr Hammill added that Smith’s long term partner had died just two days before the incident and shortly after his arrest had himself suffered a stroke.

“He is not a well man. He has lost a great deal of weight. He is currently getting help for his grief.

“He acted in a manner at the surgery which was out of character.”

Magistrates asked for a report to be prepared by the probation service and adjourned sentencing until March 14 at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court.

Smith was given conditional bail until that date in that he does not go into the surgery.