A Pembroke man caught with a knife in Hamilton has been ordered to attend mental health court.

Jason Liburd, 45, pleaded guilty to the offence but claimed he used the 8in blade only to “chop onions and garlic”.

Magistrates’ Court heard that, in the early hours of April 4 this year, police watching CCTV feeds noticed a man matching Liburd’s description attempting to gain access to a parked motorcycle.

Officers attended the area and, while they not find the suspect at the motorcycle, they found the defendant near The Beach on Front Street.

Questioned, Liburd told officers that he did not own a motorcycle, but denied that he was the man seen on the video footage.

Liburd was arrested on suspicion of causing wilful damage and was taken to Hamilton Police Station. There, a search revealed a black-handled kitchen knife in his pocket.

He was subsequently charged with possessing a bladed article in a public place, which he pleaded guilty to during an appearance in court yesterday.

Liburd was also charged with two other offences that allegedly occurred on the same date — possessing drug equipment and articles for use in theft in connection to other items found on his person — but he denied those offences and the Crown offered no evidence.

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo released Liburd on $2,000 bail, ordering him to attend the next sitting of mental health court.

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