A Watford resident has been jailed after being caught with a hunting knife in the town centre.

Kerry Crossley, of Prestwick Road, was arrested on September 21 for possessing a sharp bladed article in a public place.

The 42-year-old pleaded guilty at St Albans Magistrates' Court two days later, before returning on Monday, November 18, to be sentenced.

He was jailed for six months, with the magistrate stating that the offence was so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified.

The weapon is described in court documents as a six to seven-inch "hunting-style knife", with a "sharply pointed" blade.

As well as being put behind bars, Crossley was ordered to pay £300 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). He was also forced to surrender the knife.

Also in court

In an unrelated case, a man will appear in crown court over alleged stalking, criminal damage, and strangulation.

Daniel Summerell appeared at Hatfield Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, November 14, charged with two counts of intentional strangulation, two counts of assault by beating, stalking involving fear of violence, and criminal damage in Rickmansworth.

According to court documents, he is alleged to have strangled a woman in the town during August and on November 8, and stalked the same victim between August 1 and November 10.

Summerell, of Riverside Park in Weybridge, Surrey, is next set to appear at St Albans Crown Court on December 9 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

He was granted bail, with conditions.