A MAN from Barrow has been spared jail after he was caught with a knife when he was stoppped by police.

Kyle James Newby, 20, of Rawlinson Street, was stopped by police at 1.53am on April 28 when driving a Ford Focus.

Checks showed that Newby was driving when uninsured, and without a valid licence.

When searched, he had in his possession a two inch folding lock knife attached to a key chain.

Miss Karen Templeton, defending, said her client was not aware that carrying the knife was an offence.

She also said the only reason her client was driving was to collect his sister from a friend's house because he did not want her walking home late at night.

Newby pleaded guilty to possession of a blade in a public place, driving when uninsured and driving without a licence.

For the possession of a knife he was sentenced to eight weeks in jail, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of community service.

For the driving offences he was disqualified from driving for 12 months, fined £80 and had six points placed on his licence.

He was also ordered to pay a £115 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.