AMount Gambier man was convicted in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court last week by Magistrate Koula Kossiavelos for carrying an offensive weapon after he was found by police in public with a 52cm metal pole.


The court heard that on Monday, April 8 at 2.40am this year police observed a male walking along Bircham Place wearing a helmet and walking a bike who turned away from police.


Around an hour later, police again saw the male and spoke to him and following the conversation noticed a metal pole protruding from his rear left pocket.


The man admitted he was armed with the weapon for protection while speaking to another person.


“You realise that carrying a metal pole and going to speak to someone that you are aggrieved with is not a good mix,” Magistrate Kossiavelos told the defendant.


“Someone could get seriously hurt and that may not be the other person, it could be you and if it’s the other person, then you’re looking at more serious charges.”


“I was on my own and I was using it for protection,” the defendant said.


When questioned by Magistrate Kossiavelos on why he needed protection, the man said “he is a young fella and I’m an old man”.


The man was convicted, signed a $200 six month good behaviour bond and ordered to forfeit the weapon.