Teenager found with knife and fake gun in West Bromwich High Street
A man was caught by police carrying an imitation gun and a knife in West Bromwich High Street, a court heard.
Samuel Ward, 18, was among a group of males attracting the attention of passers-by because there was a cannabis scent near them, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.
He claimed to be holding the imitation for his 'own protection'.
On Tuesday, he was sentenced to a period of six months detention at a Young Offenders Institution after a judge heard he was caught with a quantity of the cannabis and the weapons.
He had admitted possession of a bladed article, cannabis and an imitation firearm. He was stopped on March 8.
The firearm, originally orange in colour, had been painted black.
Mr John Brotherton, prosecuting barrister, said: "Police officers arrived to search a group.
"They could smell cannabis.
"This defendant was found with three bags of weed on his person.
"A bag he was carrying was also searched and inside was a black spray-painted BB imitation gun.
"He was arrested and said that it was not a real gun and he only had it to frighten people. He said the cannabis for his own use.
He said all the items were with him because he was homeless."
Mr Ekwall Tiwana, defending Ward, told the court his client said the firearm and knife were for his 'own protection to prevent other people from taking advantage' of him.
He said Ward had mental health issues and had since returned home to live with his family as his mother has epilepsy and his brother was diagnosed with cancer and in need of a bone marrow transplant. He had previously moved out due to difficulties with another relative.
"He has made a catastrophic mistake.
"Being homeless he thought he needed to protect himself. It is obvious that he needs help, he is only 18," Mr Tiwana said.
For possession of the imitation firearm Ward, of Jesson Street, West Bromwich, was detained for six months, for possession of the knife he was detained for four months concurrently.
He will also serve one month for possession of cannabis to run consecutively.
Judge Stephen Eyre QC said Ward must serve half of the term in detention before being released on licence for the rest.
He will then be placed on supervision for nine months.
The judge also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the weapons.
