A SOUTHAMPTON teenager has appeared before court after she was caught carrying a large blade in public.

A 16-year-old girl from Aldermoor, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was caught carrying a large kitchen knife on Violet Road in Bassett on March 29.

Appearing before Southampton Youth Court, she pleaded not guilty but was found guilty of carrying a bladed article in public.

The girl was referred to a youth offender panel for a period of three months and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £21.

The kitchen knife was seized and destroyed.