A struggling father of two has been sentenced after being caught carrying a knife near Domino's Pizza and then assaulting police officers. 

Joseph Cooze, of Greystone Mews in Old Town, was reported to police officers on March 2, 2024, after a member of the public spotted him carrying a large kitchen knife on Wood Street in the early hours of the morning.

After being confronted by police officers, he then became agitated and assaulted one of them. 

But because of his personal circumstances, it was judged that a custodial sentence was not needed. 

Addressing court, prosecutor Kate Prince explained that: “Mr Cooze was found near Domino's matching the description given by a member of the public who had seen the knife.

“He was detained by officers and while they were searching him a kitchen knife fell out of his jacket pocket.

“Mr Cooze then became agitated and he had to be taken to the floor while lashing and kicking out at officers.

“When he was spoken to about this offence at the police station, he said he was unaware he had the knife when he went out that evening.”

Swindon Advertiser: The incident took place near to Domino's on the High Street in Old Town.The incident took place near to Domino's on the High Street in Old Town. (Image: Google Maps)

The court heard how Cooze, who is a construction worker and father of two, had recently gone through a divorce and had turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism.

The 42-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a knife in a public place and one count of assaulting an emergency worker.

Explaining his situation, defence lawyer Emma Hillier said: "He had been on a night out and had returned home. He then decided at around 1am that he wanted to go and get some food so put on a different jacket which he did not know had a knife in it.

"Mr Cooze had been in the process of moving house and had the knife on him for opening boxes.

"There is no suggestion that he intended to cause harm."

Chair of the magistrate's bench Philip Mickleborough told Cooze: "You need to understand that carrying a knife in public is very serious.

"However, there are circumstances around this case which mean we do not want to give you a custodial sentence."

Cooze has instead been sentenced to a 12-month community order, which includes an alcohol abstinence monitor and 150 hours of unpaid work.

He has also been required to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge, leaving him with a total of £199.