A MAN caught with a kitchen knife in Southampton has been given a suspended sentence.

Stephen George Wells, 37, possessed the knife in the city on October 22.

Appearing at Southampton Magistrates' Court, Wells, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty possession of a bladed article in a public place.

He also admitted failing to surrender to magistrates court and committing an offence while on a conditional discharge.

But Wells was spared an immediate custodial sentence by magistrates, who heard that Wells had not brandished or threatened anyone with the knife.

Instead, Wells was sentenced to a three month prison sentence, which was suspended for 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £122, while magistrates ordered the knife be destroyed.