AN ITINERANT Isle of Wight man caught with a knuckleduster claimed he carried it for protection against a gang who wrongly shouted at him that he was a paedophile.

Brian Bailey, of no fixed address, admitted possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, namely Union Street, Ryde, on March 22. 

The 45-year-old, formerly of Clatterford Road, Newport, appeared for sentencing at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court yesterday (Tuesday), having already pleaded to the offence at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court on March 23.

Police arrested Bailey on an unrelated matter and a search led to the discovery of the knuckleduster in his trouser pocket, said Ann Smout, prosecuting.

Bailey, convicted of possessing cannabis on March 22, initially claimed the knuckleduster was a keyring.

When interviewed by the police, he refused to comment further.

The court was told Bailey had not used the weapon.

Portsmouth magistrates ordered a report on Bailey to consider all sentencing options against him, including imprisonment, but he failed to comply with probation and it was never written, following a disagreement about his appointments.

Unrepresented in court, Bailey said he had been carrying a knuckleduster around for his own protection following unsubstantiated accusations against him that he was a paedophile.

Bailey told the bench: "I've been labelled a paedophile. While I was walking in the town (Newport), I was called a 'nonce' by a gang of lads. I phoned the police and was told it was a civil matter.

"So I walked around with the 'knuckles'. I wasn't going around trying to beat people up. I'm being called a nonce out there when there was no case to answer against me.

"I've lived and worked here ten years and I'm labelled a nonce now. Anytime I walk around Newport now, those lads shout 'nonce'.

"We read the County Press about stabbings each weekend, so I took it upon myself to protect myself — especially as I'm not getting any help from the police."

Before passing sentence, presiding magistrate, Gillian Dale, told Bailey: "We consider you were carrying the weapon for self protection — but that doesn't make it right."

Magistrates fined Bailey £120, with an order to pay £85 costs and a £34 victiim surcharge.