A TRAIN passenger was caught with an eight-inch kitchen knife in his pocket on a visit to his online friend in Hereford, a court has heard.

Ashley Brooks admitted carrying a kitchen knife without good reason lawful authority when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Staff at Hereford's railway station had spotted Brooks getting off a train with a large knife in his pocket at about 3.30pm on April 19, prosecutor Ralph Robyns Landricombe said.

Police were called and Brooks was stopped in Commercial Road, where he was searched and arrested after officers uncovered the kitchen knife in his pocket.

Brooks was taken into custody at Hereford Police Station, where he made no comment in interview.

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Chris Read, for Brooks, said the 20-year-old had travelled to Hereford after striking up an online relationship with a woman in Hereford.

"This was to be their first meeting," Mr Read said.

"He tells me that he does have certain problems. He is bipolar and suffers from anxiety and has a support worker assisting him in the community.

"Before coming to Hereford, he says he was extremely nervous and worried, and put this knife in his pocket. It's very clear that he had no intention of using it, and he really is at a loss as to why he did that. It was a foolish thing to do, but it was not in any way malicious."

Brooks, of Stuart Street, Walsall, was handed a 12-month community order and ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay costs of £135 and a £95 victim surcharge.