Prison for man caught carrying a meat cleaver in Nuneaton town centre

A man caught carrying a meat cleaver around Nuneaton town centre has been jailed. Anthony McCarten, 57, was arrested in Upper Abbey Street on September 13 following concerns from the public.

Police responded to reports of a group of four men with a knife. Officers searched the group and found the meat cleaver in McCarten's bag.

"McCarten, of Victoria Street, Nuneaton, was sentenced to six months in prison for carrying a blade in public on October 24. He was also ordered to pay a victim’s surcharge of £154.

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A Warwickshire Police spokesperson said: "On September 13, officers responded to a call from a concerned member of the public about a group of four men with a knife on Upper Abbey Street in Nuneaton On arrival, the four men were located and searched, and one (Anthony McCarten) was found to have a meat cleaver in a bag on his person.

"McCarten, 57, of Victoria Street, Nuneaton, was sentenced to six months in prison for carrying a blade in public on October 24. He is also required to pay a victim’s surcharge of £154."

Investigating officer PC Kind added: “Zero tolerance means zero tolerance. If someone has seen you carrying a knife in public, you have clearly had it out in public and given cause for concern.

“We would like to thank the person who called in their report to us – without you, we may have had to respond to a call of a much worse nature later on.”

If you think that someone is carrying a knife in public, you can report it on our website or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Always dial 999 if someone is at immediate risk.