Suspended jail for Derbyshire teen who threw knife over garden wall just before police search
“Please work with probation, otherwise you will go to prison.”
A Derbyshire teenager appeared at Chesterfield Magistrates Court after he was found in possession of a knife and drugs.
Anthony Cavanagh, 19, of Fauvel Road, Glossop, was stopped by police officers at Foundry Close in Glossop on October 16, 2025.
Officers were dealing with an unrelated incident nearby and stopped the 19-year-old who happened to be in the vicinity.
Cavanagh was in possession of a knife with a three-inch blade, which he threw over a garden wall nearby just before the search.
But officers located the knife and Cavanagh confirmed he threw it over the wall.
The court heard that the knife was not used to make threats or cause violence.
Further search of the defendant revealed a quantity of Cannabis in his pocket.
Cavanagh was charged with possession of knife in a public place and possession of drugs following the incident.
He appeared at Chesterfield Magistrates Court on Thursday, October 22 and pleaded guilty to both offences.
The court heard that Cavanagh had one previous offence of possession of a knife in 2024, when he was under the age of 18.
Defence argued he showed ‘naivety’ and ‘lack of maturity’ but told officers about cannabis in his pocket and quickly admitted dropping the knife over the all.
The defendant was described by his lawyer as a ‘young man with only one previous conviction’ which was ‘from his youth’.
Cavanagh was handed a suspended jail sentence of six months.
He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid works.
He will have to pay £319 including a fine of £80, a victim surcharge of £154 and costs of £85.
The court has also ordered destruction of the knife and cannabis.
During sentencing, Mrs Railton JP said : “We are going to sentence you for six months.
“The sentence will be suspended on the condition you don’t commit any further offence in the next 12 months.
“We decided to suspend the sentence because of your age and naivety and your willingness to work with probation.
“Please work with probation, otherwise you will go to prison.”