A MAN who had a knife in a public place has been sent to prison.

Bishara Osman, of Penny Lane, Haydock, appeared before Liverpool, Knowsley and St Helens Magistrates' Court on Monday, August 5. 

In an earlier hearing, on June 11, the 21-year-old had pleaded guilty to possession of a knife in a public place.

On June 10, Osman had a knife on him in a public building in Liverpool.

Appearing for sentencing, he was jailed for 18 weeks.

A court sheet said he was jailed without a pre-sentence report because "custody inevitable".

It added the offence was "so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified".

READ > Suspects 'throw petrol bombs' at two properties

It was said the reason for the custodial sentence was a "need for deterrent sentencing" as well as the "risk to self and others", with the knife "taken into a public building"

It was noted the defendant had said he was carrying the item because of problems he was having.

A Serious Violence Reduction Order was also imposed for two years.

A SVRO is a civil order that can be placed on someone who has been convicted of an offence that involved a bladed item or offensive weapon.

Someone who has an SVRO can be stopped in public spaces by the police and searched to find out if they are carrying a bladed item or offensive weapon.