CARRYING tools in the foot well of his car proved costly for a Pembroke Dock man, a court has heard.

John Lloyd, 46 years old, of Prospect Place, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to three charges of carrying offensive weapons in a public place at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday, October 23.

Prosecuting, Abul Hussain described how Lloyd’s car was stopped by police on September 6, who found some tools in the back of his car: a hammer and a gouge chisel as well as an extendable friction-lock baton.

Lloyd was arrested for possession of offensive weapons and explained in an interview why he had the tools.

Defending, Mike Kelleher said Lloyd had planned to travel to Cardiff that day to help a friend fix up his flat, but had argued with his wife and phoned a friend to go help with the job instead.

Lloyd’s wife had thrown his tools onto the pavement, so he collected them and put the ones needed for the job into a toolbox in the boot, but kept three in the foot well of his car.

He was returning home to store them in a lock-up shed when he was approached by the police.

“These were not to be used in a threatening way,” said Mr Kelleher.

“I think this case highlights the difficulty everybody today has in carrying any items which could be used as a weapon in a vehicle whether they are intended for that purpose or whether their purpose is above board.”

Magistrates ordered Lloyd to complete 128 hours of community service.

He was also ordered to £85 court costs and a surcharge of £85, totalling £170.

The three tools were destroyed.

The chair of the bench warned that rules around offensive weapons were changing, and could lead to prison sentences of six months in the future.