Woman tried to take kitchen knife into bar

6:53pm Sunday 12th October 2008

A WOMAN found in possession of a four-inch blade outside a popular town bar claimed she needed it for her crack habit.

Swindon magistrates heard how on July 27 Kirsty Smith was discovered with the kitchen knife when she tried to enter the Casbah in John Street.

Smith, 22, of Upfield, Liden, pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article.

Amanda Sawetz, prosecuting, said: “She said the knife was only being used to cut crack.

“She said ‘I had no intention of hurting anybody’.

“She said there was no reason to have the knife on her, the only reason was for crack.”

The knife was discovered by a member of staff as she and her boyfriend entered the bar at around 1.20am. The court heard Smith had been refused entrance by the doorman who had told her she was barred from the premises.

Miss Sawetz said when questioned Smith had said people should not be able to have knives and she did not believe in carrying them, but had added you should be allowed to carry some sort of protection.

Philip Hall, defending, said Smith’s behaviour was an aspect of modern life from which she had been attempting to free herself with success.

She was being treated for her drug addiction and was on methadone. He explained the reason she had had the knife in her possession at that time was because she had had nowhere to live and therefore was carrying all her belongings with her.

Mr Hall added: “I have spoken to Miss Smith and she is anxious to get this over and done with.”

Although the probation service expressed concern about how Smith would get her methadone supply if she was doing community service, it was confirmed she only collected her prescription on alternate days, making 9am to 5pm work possible.

Chairman of the bench Roger Williams told Smith: “We’re satisfied that your offending is serious enough for a community sentence.

“The purpose of the sentence is punishment and to help you change your ways.”

Smith was given a 12-month community order of 100 hours unpaid work.