A MAN has been handed a suspended sentence for being three times the drink drive limit while in possession of a 10-inch Samurai sword.

Marcin Thomasz Koziol, 37, was found to be over the drink drive limit when stopped by police officers in Wrexham.

Mold Magistrates Court was told by the prosecution, Rhian Jackson, how Koziol, of Field View in Wrexham, had been drinking at home on February 8 – which was said to be the one-year anniversary of the breakdown of his 15-year marriage.

She said that officers stopped Koziol in his VW Golf on Holt Road after concerns about his driving style were raised by staff at a Tesco petrol station at about 9.40pm.

The court heard that police noted Koziol appeared intoxicated and had ‘glazed eyes’ when approaching the vehicle and was slurring his words.

A breath sample was taken which revealed he had 103 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – which is just shy of triple the legal limit.

Upon further inspection of the vehicle, officers found that the father-of-two was also in possession of a 10-inch blade which he claims to use for cutting fruit and vegetables.

The prosecution added that when Koziol was taken to custody and asked about the blade, he admitted to be the owner and said he was not aware of it being illegal to own and carry the item.

In defence, Ceri Lewis, told the court that Koziol was ‘ashamed’ of his actions that night – especially as his home address is a short distance from the Tesco store and he could have walked.

District Judge Anita Price issued a sentence to Koziol of 12 weeks suspended by a year. It was also added that Koziol would be banned from driving for 26 months, complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay fines of £200.

She said: “It is a fact that all weapons – particularly with blades – present a great threat to public safety. Possessing this knife in a public setting is clearly a serious offence, aggravated further by the fact you were three times over the legal limit.

“I accept your reason for having the knife as truthful, but this is in no way an excuse and any similar offences in the further will bring a custodial sentence for sure.”

It was also ordered that the samurai sword should be destroyed.