An Isle of Wight man collapsed in court after magistrates jailed him for four-and-a-half months after being caught with a knife and Class A and B drugs.

Thomas Kerr, of Station Road, Brading, attended the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on Friday, September 13.

The 51-year-old previously pleaded guilty to possession of a knife or sharp-pointed article in a public place and possession of class A and class B drugs, namely cannabis and heroin.

Lauren Stone, prosecuting, said Kerr travelled on the Island Line between Ryde and Brading on October 11 last year and was described by witnesses as drunk, drifting in and out of sleep.

Ms Stone told the court that police were waiting for Kerr at the station, and an officer noted a smell of cannabis, prompting a stop and search.

Officers found several suspicious packages, all of which were later confirmed to be cannabis and heroin, the court heard.

A further search in Kerr’s bag led to the discovery of a Stanley knife, and a further search at his address yielded more cannabis.

Ms Stone said Kerr told police officers he used the Stanley knife to sharpen pencils but admitted that he had none on him at the time.

Kerr has a long history of drug convictions, dating back to 2003, including time spent in prison for drug supply.

He was also previously convicted of possession of an offensive weapon in public in 2009.

Oscar Vincent, defending, said his client had been shopping in Ryde and had purchased the class A and B drugs for his own personal use, during his visit.

Mr Vincent said Kerr’s Stanley knife was discovered ‘deep down in his bag’, describing it as a ‘small, three-inch’ knife.

As a way of coping with anxiety, Kerr purchases intricate colouring books to focus on during his travels, and he uses his Stanley knife to sharpen his pencils, the court heard.

Mr Vincent presented an example of the colouring book and pencils in the courtroom.

After considering their sentence, magistrates told Kerr they had looked for ‘exceptional circumstances’ that could save him from an immediate prison sentence.

It was decided that none could be found, and Kerr was sentenced to a four-and-a-half-month prison sentence.

Following the verdict, Kerr collapsed in the dock, and momentarily passed out, before being taken into custody.