An 18-year-old has pleaded guilty to carrying a knife in public after a dispute broke out in Chippenham. 

Liam Smith, of Unity Street, in Chippenham, appeared in Swindon Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, July 24, four months after he was arrested for possession of a knife and refused to sign a police caution.

The court heard that the 18-year-old had only carried the knife in self defence and claims he was thrown down the stairs during the dispute. 

"On the evening of March 6, officers were called to Unity Street in Chippenham to reports of an ongoing disorder at the address," prosecutor Keith Ballinger told the court.

Police rushed to the incident on Unity Street in ChippenhamPolice rushed to the incident on Unity Street in Chippenham (Image: Google Maps)

"By the time police arrived everyone had gone back to their own properties and the disorder had ended, however officers spoke to witnesses of the disorder who said they saw a man with a knife.

“CCTV was checked and showed Smith in possession of a bread knife in a public place.

“He was arrested and in interview he accepted that there had been a disagreement on the street and that he had gone back out with a knife.

“Smith claims it was for self-defence, and he has no previous convictions."

According to defence lawyer, Mark Glendenning, the 18-year-old who has clear learning difficulties and has been out of formal education for the last six years, could've easily avoided a criminal record.

He noted how police officers turned up at Smith's door and asked him to sign a caution that he was being offered to avoid taking the case to court.

But the he refused to sign, saying he needed additional help and so couldn't sign anything alone.

18-year-old Liam Smith pleaded guilty at Swindon Magistrates Court Liam Smith pleaded guilty at Swindon Magistrates Court (Image: Newsquest)

“He is in supportive accommodation and says throughout the dispute he was abused and he was thrown down the stairs and out of the property," added Mr Glendenning.

“He accepted he wasn’t thinking properly because of the emotions of the situation."

“His father is present in the public gallery today and is very supportive.”

Having weighed up the evidence, Chair of the Magistrate’s Bench Natalie O’Connell felt that she was unable to decide Smith's sentence without further investigation into his character, and so adjourned the case.

Smith has now been remanded on unconditional bail and will next appear in Swindon Magistrates' Court on Thursday, August 15, 2024.