A MAN who told police that chainsticks in his car were a gift for a 12-year-old boy has been ordered to do 60 hours’ unpaid work.

Victoria Lamballe, prosecuting, told York Crown Court police found the illegal weapon when they were called out to an incident at 11am on January 6 in Dunnington.

When questioned about why he had it, Mark Ashworth, of Whitby Avenue, York, claimed they were for the boy.

Recorder Sandeep Kainth said: “There is of course no reason for anyone to have possession of that because it is not a lawful item. It surprises me that you would have bought that one for (the boy).”

Ashworth called out from the dock that he had not done so.

In addition to the unpaid work, Ashworth was ordered to pay £500 prosecution costs and a £60 statutory surcharge. He admitted possessing an offensive weapon.

Ashworth’s solicitor advocate Mark Partridge said he had not produced the weapon in public.