Teen sentenced after abandoning knife in Nottingham shop
Eighteen-year-old apprehended by officers after dumping weapon
An 18-year-old has been sentenced after leaving a knife among store shelves while trying to evade police in Nottingham city centre.
Eamon Costello, of Broadmead, Burton Joyce, was detained by the knife crime team as he fled into Boyes store after being spotted in April.
After his arrest, officers discovered a lock knife concealed behind towels inside the shop.
Costello admitted to possessing a knife in a public place and was sentenced to nine months at a young offender institution last Thursday at Nottingham Crown Court.
Police Constable Daniel Cresswell, who was involved in the arrest, highlighted the issues of knife carriers attempting to discard their weapons when approached by law enforcement.
"Knife carriers will often try to discard weapons when we approach or follow them" Constable Cresswell said.
"In this case, Costello clearly had little concern about who might end up finding the knife when he dumped it on the shelves of a busy shop."
Costello has an existing record with previous convictions related to knife possession and has faced arrests in the Nottingham city centre before.
"I'm pleased he has now received a spell behind bars" Constable Cresswell added.
He emphasised the risk that offenders face, stating that those who continue to carry weapons stand a high chance of being captured on camera, arrested, and eventually jailed.