Atherton: Man had machete down his trousers in bar due to 'fear'

Police were called to Back 2 Jacks Bar on Market Street in Atherton in the early hours of Saturday, March 2 this year following reports a man had a knife on him.

But Bolton Crown Court heard when Kyle Gotheridge, of Kingsley Street, Leigh, was challenged he presented a machete which was more than a foot in length.

Nick Ross, prosecuting, said: “A report was made to staff at Back to Jacks Bar on Market Street, Atherton, that there was a man with a knife.

“The defendant was challenged to say if he was carrying a knife.

“When searched he did not resist.

“He pulled out from his trousers a machete.

“I do not have an exact measurement, it is not a small item, it is more than a foot in length.”

Judge Eliot Knopf asked: “That was down his trousers.”

Mr Ross replied: “Yes, I won’t comment as to the wisdom of that.

“He was reported to the police.”

Gotheridge, 20, appeared in court to be sentenced after pleading guilty to possession of an offensive weapon in custody.

The court heard he had a previous conviction for a similar offence which involved him having an axe which was used to damage property belonging to a former partner.

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Martin Pizzey, defending, said: “The first offence took place three weeks into his adult life.

“It was focused on property.

“It is clear he was carrying the machete.

“He lives in fear, he has been attacked.

“He is not a member of a gang.

“He has been the victim of a knife crime and was severely injured, it resulted in substantial scarring.”

Judge Knopf said: “The message has to go out to tell those who are tempted to carry a knife that if they are caught the overwhelming likelihood is that they will serve a custody sentence.”

He sent Gotheridge to a young offenders' institute for eight months.