A BRADFORD man has avoided jail after being caught carrying a baton and knife in the city centre.

Seth Mahmood, 23, of Alvanley Court was handed a 24 week suspended sentence at Kirklees Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (May 3).

The offences were: possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and possession of a knife blade or sharp pointed article in a public place.

It relates to September 25 last year when Mahmood was in a white Seat Leon on Westgate in the city centre.

He was found with a baton torch and a knife with a fixed blade.

Mahmood initially pleaded not guilty to both offences on October 29 last year, at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court.

But he changed his plea to guilty on April 11 this year for the first offence and was found guilty of the second offence, at Kirklees Magistrates' Court.

Mahmood was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison for possession of a knife and four weeks to run concurrently for possession of an offensive weapon, both suspended for 12 months.

Court records show the 23-year-old was given the sentence due to the offences being so serious.

But the court suspended the 24 weeks in jail due to the prospect of rehabilitation and lack of previous convictions.

Mahmood must complete a maximum of 20 days of rehabilitation if asked by the responsible officer and carry out 100 hours unpaid work over the next year. 

Mahmood was also ordered to pay the court £528.

This includes a £128 surcharge to fund victim services and £400 in costs, which will be paid in monthly instalments of £50 starting on May 17.