A man who kept a knuckleduster in his car has been fined for carrying an offensive weapon in Wiltshire.

Zaveian Brown, 40, of Kensington Park, Easton, Bristol, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and was sentenced at Swindon Magistrates' Court on October 1.

On June 13, Brown’s vehicle was stopped by police on Box Hill following reports that a man had been dealing drugs in the Corsham area.

Officers found Brown dressed in a balaclava and body armour and found a knuckleduster in the passenger door when they searched the car.

PD Adam Neish said: "We were responding to reports that a man had been dealing drugs in the Corsham area matching Brown's description.

"We stopped him in his vehicle and found him to be dressed in a balaclava and body armour. When we carried out a search of his vehicle a knuckleduster was found in the passenger door.

"A knuckleduster is designed to cause injury and is banned under the Offensive Weapon Act 2019.

"I’d like to reassure the local community that proactive officers will continue to carry out stop and searches in the area and action their concerns as effectively as possible."

He was fined £692, ordered to pay a surcharge of £277 and £85 in costs.