a prohibited weapon in public.

Devaughn Cox of North Shore Road, Hamilton Parish, was fined $500 and given a nine month prison sentence which was suspended for 12 months after he told Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner he carried the weapon for protection.

Cox said he carried the flick knife with a dragon face imprinted on the handle because he was worried he might get "jumped'' because of the friends he hangs around.

Mr. Warner said: "I'm thinking of sending you for corrective training. I'm thinking about making an example of you, not withstanding your age and not withstanding any previous convictions.

"You've come here and told me exactly why you were carrying this knife. This leads to a vicious cycle,'' Mr. Warner added.

In addition to the fine and suspended prison sentence, Mr. Warner ordered that the weapon be confiscated and destroyed.