A Southampton man has admitted trespassing at the Yoga Centre after an instructor found him in a hallway with a knife.

Coolridge Eve, 58, pleaded guilty to causing wilful damage at the Victoria Street property and possessing an article for use in a burglary.

Prosecutors told Magistrates’ Court that at around 1.30pm on November 8 last year, an instructor conducting a class heard noises in the outside hallway.

While she initially believed the noises were caused by another instructor, she became suspicious as the sound of banging and doors opening and closing continued.

The instructor stepped into the hallway to see what was going on when she noticed Eve holding a knife.

Eve was confronted and asked to leave, which he did after repeatedly stating that he only wished to use the bathroom.

Police were subsequently called, and it was discovered that several doors had been damaged with marks suggesting that someone had attempted to remove the door knobs or pry the doors open.

Eve was subsequently arrested and admitted the incident, although he initially denied having a knife.

After pleading guilty, Eve apologised for his actions, asking if the sentence could run concurrently with a sentence he is already serving for a separate matter.

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo adjourned the matter until February 24 for sentencing, with Eve remaining in custody until then.

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