A man found carrying a large kitchen knife said he found it in a bag on the street and decided to take it home.

Iain Crosbie, 27, of Phipps Street in Southville, was found by police with the wooden-handled knife – which had a 20cm blade – tucked into his waistband.

He was arrested in St Augustine's Parade in the city centre at 1am on May 12, and pleaded guilty to possessing the blade at Bristol Magistrate's Court yesterday.

Crosbie was given a community order for one year, with a supervision requirement and a curfew which means that he will have to wear an electronic tag and stay indoors between 10pm and 8am every night for the next eight weeks.

He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £60.

Nisha Patel, prosecuting, said: "At the police station he said 'I do not do theft but I hold my hands up to the sharp knife.' He said he found the knife in a bag on the street, just off Park Street, and decided to keep the knife to use at home."

Dianne Heys, defending, said: "He had been on his way home, he found the bag and he was suspicious – a bit nosy. He found the knife and put it into the back waistband of his trousers.

"There was no suggestion that he was using it out on the street or threatening anyone with it."