A teenaged boy who had a samurai sword in his back pocket when he was in collision with a Police car claimed it was not 'sharp enough to cut paper', in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Elijah Wade, 18, of Pembroke, pleaded guilty to one charge of possession of a bladed article when he appeared in court.

The court heard from Senior Crown counsel Carrington Mahoney that Wade was arrested on Saturday night after a disturbance was reported at White Hill Field in Sandys.

Police were told a large group of youths with weapons were fighting but when they attended the scene, the group had escaped, said the prosecutor.

About ten minutes later, Police saw Wade on a bike heading east on Middle Road in Warwick. When he saw the officers, he refused to stop the bike and ended up colliding with another Police vehicle near Watch Hill Lane.

The sword was found sticking out of his back pocket. He was taken to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for injuries sustained during the accident and then taken to the Hamilton Police station where he was arrested.

At the Police station, Wade told officers he had the sword for his protection.

However, in court, Wade told Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner he only said that to the officers because he didn't know what to say. He explained the blade wasn't sharp and remained in its case the whole time.

"It's more like a collectable item. I have two more at home on my wall. The blades haven't even been sharpened. I never had any intention of using it," he claimed.

Wade admitted to passing by White Hill Field but said he didn't stop there and was not a part of a fight. "I wasn't roaming around the streets with the blade. I was just taking it from point A to point B. I'm not a criminal. This is the first time I've been arrested," he said.

Mr. Warner explained the seriousness of the offence to Wade and told him that it carried a mandatory three-year prison sentence.

"I've listened to you carefully and it seems to me there is nothing special or exceptional about the reason you were carrying the weapon," said Mr. Warner.

The Magistrate ordered a pre-sentence report on Wade and remanded him into custody at the Co-Educational Facility until July 30.

He said: "I don't believe your story, but we'll take a closer took at it."

Giving the Police version of events on Saturday night in a press release yesterday, a spokesman said they attended reports of a disturbance at a majorette competition held at White Hill Field.

"Although no disturbance was located on Police arrival, officers were made aware that those involved in the alleged disturbance had already made good their escape."

He described how the auxiliary cycle carrying Wade also had another man on board - who was also arrested - although only Wade was in court yesterday.

"Subsequently, Police found a cache of weapons in a neighbouring area, consisting of bladed articles and brass knuckles. It is clear that these individuals were headed to this event to disrupt and cause harm. The Bermuda Police Service is determined to address this anti-social behaviour and put perpetrators before the courts," said the spokesman.