POLICE hope "lessons have been learned" after two teens from Barrow and Preston were sentenced for carrying a machete and knives on a train.

Cameron James Bibby, 18, and Daniel Lewis Oliver, 19, pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon at Preston Magistrates' Court.

Bibby, of Windrush Crescent, Walney, and Oliver, of East View, Walton le Dale, Preston, were sentenced to eight weeks in prison suspended for 12 months for the offence on August 5 last year. Bibby also received a two week jail term suspended for 12 months for possession of cannabis to run concurrently.

The court heard that Bibby was stopped by a British Transport Police officer at Preston station following a report that he was carrying a blade concealed in the waistband of his jeans. Bibby and Oliver had been travelling together but Oliver left the station when Bibby was apprehended by the officer.

On arrest a large machete was retrieved from the inside of Bibby’s jeans. Bibby claimed he had been holding the weapon for Oliver but while in custody, a large combat knife was also found in a carrier bag belonging to Bibby.

Police then began a search for Oliver and he was detained shortly afterwards by a Lancashire Police officer. A search of Oliver produced a butterfly knife which had been concealed in the waistband of his boxer shorts.

During the sentencing on January 4, Bibby and Oliver were also ordered to carry out 250 hours of community service and each must pay £85 court costs and a £115 victim surcharge.

Investigating officer Chris Biggs said: “Despite Bibby and Oliver claiming that the machete and knives were not intended for malicious purposes, items such as these are weapons which can be dangerous and it is illegal to carry them in a public place. Carrying items like these can understandably cause alarm and panic among members of the public.

“Hopefully lessons have been learned and both Oliver and Bibby recognise the seriousness of their actions.”