A man from Bristol has been sentenced after being found in possession of an offensive weapon in Box, Wiltshire. Zaveian Brown, 40, of Kensington Park, Easton, pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on 1 October.
Brown was stopped on Box Hill on 13 June after officers received reports of suspected drug dealing in the Corsham area, matching his description. He was found with a knuckleduster in the passenger door of his vehicle.
During the stop, officers discovered that Brown was dressed in a balaclava and body armour. PD Adam Neish, who led the operation, explained: “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 a prohibited item under the Offensive Weapon Act 2019, designed to cause injury.
Brown was fined £692, ordered to pay a surcharge of £277, and £85 in costs.
PD Adam Neish added: “I’d like to reassure the local community that proactive officers will continue to carry out stop and searches in the area and address their concerns as effectively as possible.
Wiltshire Police remain committed to tackling crime in the area and will continue working to keep the community safe through proactive operations and enforcement.
