A TYRE fitter was caught with a snooker ball in a sock when searched by officers walking down a quiet residential street.

Garry Dicarluccio, who works at the Tyre Shack in Millbrook Industrial Estate six-days-a-week, had the weapon as “self-defence”, a court heard.

It was claimed he had the weapon while he went to try and collect money owing to his brother Ryan.

A worried resident of Elm Crescent contacted the police to warn them that the pair were on the street, Southampton Magistrates Court heard.

When they arrived officers saw the 36-year-old trying to get rid of the offensive weapon, the court was told.

Magistrates heard that Dicarluccio carried the weapon for protection and he alleged that the man who owed the money had brandished a Samurai sword before the officers arrived.

Prosecutor Dan O’Neill said that the resident grew concerned with the presence of the Dicarluccio brothers when they were on the road on February 24 this year.

Mr O’Neill added that it was the first time he had offended since 2005.

A probation report compiled on Dicarluccio found that “he had it for self-defence” because when the brothers had tried to get money owing to them before the individual involved “had his own offensive weapons”.

It said: “There has been a longstanding issue around unpaid monies owing to the brother. In the past the victim involved has had offensive weapons on in this situation he came outside with his own Samurai sword.”

It added that Dicarluccio was remorseful for his actions.

Dicarluccio, of Laburnum Crescent, Hythe, was given a 12-month community order, which includes the requirement to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

He was ordered to pay £85 costs and £85 victim surcharge.

An order was granted to destroy the pool ball and sock.