Mark Wallace of Calmore spared jailed after admitting possession of lock knife and BB gun

A NEW Forest man was found with a gun and knife while wearing a balaclava when he was stopped by police in the middle of the afternoon.

Mark Wallace was apprehended by officers after an attempted robbery was reported at Eling recreation ground on 13th March.

The 20-year-old, of Loperwood Lane, Calmore, was stopped at around 3.30pm on nearby Junction Road after matching a description of a male involved in the attempted robbery, prosecutor Keely Harvey told Southampton Crown Court.

When asked if he had any weapons on him, Wallace told officers: “I’ve got a knife, but I’ve not robbed anyone.”

A lock knife was produced from his coat pocket and a BB gun was found in his bag. He gave a no-comment interview when questioned, she added.

At an earlier court hearing Wallace pleaded guilty to possession of a blade and possession of an imitation firearm. Wallace has previous convictions for taking a vehicle without consent, driving without a licence or insurance, and driving dangerously.

Defending, Laura Duff stressed there was no evidence to suggest Wallace had been involved in the attempted robbery.

He had been wearing a balaclava that day as he had “issues with bullies” locally and, as he was feeling unwell, he covered his face “as a hangover from Covid times”.

Wallace, who has ADHD, learning difficulties and autism, had forgotten about the knife, which was used to cut string from hay bales for his mother’s horses, she explained.

He had been taking the BB gun, which had arrived that day, to a friend’s house to show them, and he had not understood it was unlawful to do so.

She added there was a “clear link” between his ADHD and the offence, as his impulsivity meant he had not considered the consequences of leaving home with the BB gun.

Wallace, who receives disability benefits, had a realistic prospect of rehabilitation, Ms Duff said, adding a prison term would “do more harm than good”.

Judge Gary Burrell agreed, telling him: “You should not be carrying these things. I know you’ve got problems, but these offences have put you in grave danger of going to prison.

“You have genuine mental health problems, so I am not going to send you to custody. But be careful and try to think about what you are doing, otherwise you will go to prison, and you wouldn’t necessarily survive.”

He imposed an 18-month community order, and rehabilitation activity .

No costs were imposed, due to Wallace’s limited means.