Homeless Hastings man jailed for possession of a knife

Homeless Max Whiting, 37, was caught with the knife on his person in a public place on Battle Road in St Leonards on Christmas Day last year. A lock blade knife is one that folds out but also has a locking mechanism that keeps the blade in place.

Mr Whiting’s lawyer argued in court that his client needed the knife with the 1.5 inch blade to cut up cardboard and open cans.

But since Mr Whiting’s arrest last year, magistrates have been issued with stringent new sentencing guidelines which state that unless there is a very good reason, possession of such knives in public places constitute a serious offence, with sentencing starting at six months and a maximum prison time set at four years.

On Friday, November 23, Magistrate Chair Simon Corello told Mr Whiting: “Knife crime is in the news. It’s something which, in this country and, in particular areas, is increasing. People are getting injured and losing their lives over this, so our sentencing guidelines as a starting point are six months in custody and we can’t give credit for a guilty plea.”

Mr Corello added that they had to balance personal circumstances against the deterrent factor and for that reason they would be sentencing Mr Whiting to four months in prison, with time served taken into account.

Outside court Mr Whiting’s defence lawyer Sean Cahill of Gurney Harden Solicitors said that four months was a harsh sentence, and the new guidelines failed to take into account that homeless people often need to use knives in their daily lives.

“I understand that knife crime is a real issue but homeless people do need to use knives to cut cardboard to sleep on and open cans,” he said. “There was no suggestion Mr Whiting was going to use the knife for any wrongdoing.”

A Sussex police spokesman added: “Earlier in the year, we supported the national campaign Operation Sceptre, which aims to tackle knife-related crime and highlight the risks of carrying knives.

“During the week-long campaign, a total of 294 knives were handed in across Sussex. Although we are below the national average for possession of an offensive weapon, we cannot become complacent.

“Our message to those who carry a knife or are thinking or carrying a knife is that it does not protect you and could actually make you more vulnerable and in danger of serious harm.”

Man wanted after report of stalking in St Leonards

Sudden Hastings post office closure: here’s the latest

Increasing concern for missing Hastings man