Bristol man 'didn't know' how machete got down his trousers
A man found with a machete stuffed down his trousers has been jailed for a year.
Drunken Duale Abdirahman, 38, of Wick Road, Brislington, slurred to police he had no idea why the seven-inch blade was there, a court heard.
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![machete[1]](http://i.thisis.co.uk/274156/article/images/1916310/1390444.jpg)
Police responded to reports of a man armed with a blade outside shops in Redcliff Hill, Bristol Crown Court was told yesterday.
When Abdirahman was pointed out to them, they forced him to the ground and found the machete tucked into his waistband
Abdirahman pleaded guilty to possessing a blade.
Jailing him, Judge Simon Darwall-Smith told him: "This is the third time you have been convicted for possessing a weapon in public.
"No doubt alcohol is a problem and you represent a dangerous and frightening spectacle when you are armed. The public has to be protected."
The judge ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the machete.
Mark Hollier, prosecuting, said police officers called to the scene at 7.30pm in September last year asked people if they had seen a man with a machete and Abdirahman was pointed out.
Mr Hollier said: "Police went to the defendant, no machete was on view and he was incoherent and drunk.
"An officer took out his baton, placed it on the defendant's shoulder and told him to go to the floor.
"He then took the defendant's arm, inflicted a blow to his legs and the defendant went to the floor.
"Police then saw the handle of a machete in his waistband. It was extracted and found to have a seven-inch blade."
Abdirahman accepted he had the machete, but told police he had no idea where it came from.
He has previous convictions for having a blade, as well as being drunk and disorderly.
Tabitha Macfarlane, defending, said Abdirahman came from Somalia in 1997 and turned to drugs and alcohol after manual work dried up.
She said: "He has not threatened anyone directly. He's nearly 40 and he really should know better.
"He does something wrong and he has no recollection of doing it. He did not present to the probation officer as a man with pro-crime attitudes, but he is lonely and more sad than bad."
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by Big G, Bristol
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 7:40AM
“Paul, your voting BNP as your a total idiot, thats how. People like you make me sick, blaming others for your own failures.
Back on topic, the guy carries a machete, and gets one year, when will he be out? 8 months if he bahaves himself, sorry, carrying a weopen should carry a minimum sentance of at least 2 years, maybe more due to the nature of this weopen. He should have to serve the whole sentance.”
by Tina, Hengrove Bristol
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 8:47PM
“Lucky for him, it wasn't a hungry Rabbit!”
by Rachael, Bristol
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 10:51AM
“I want to know why we haven't deported the guy yet?!
The way I figure it, if someone comes here claiming assylum genuinely, and wants to work and contribute to the country then bring fair cop but the minute someone is convicted of a crime, our protection and help should be forfeit. How much money do you think has been spent on arresting, prosecuting and incarcerating this bloke?”
by Sally, Bristol
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 10:48AM
“There is good and bad in every creed and colour... Our benefit system is a joke, it was created as an emergancy way of getting money whilst seeking work... They are plently of jobs needing doing within the community.. So rather than just hand out benefits how about making them work and learn new skills instead”
by Louise, Bristol
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 10:44AM
“@Dazz - I am assumming, Ususally if a criminal is non white or non British then the reporter identifies their country of origin and/or colour of their skin.
Apologies if she is not.”