A JUDGE has told a Newton Abbot teenager who was caught with a knife to get a job as a barber so he can ‘put bladed articles to their proper use’.

Judge David Evans gave his advice to 19-year-old Neo Reeves after hearing that he is in the process of setting up his own hairdressing business in South Devon.

Reeves was caught with a cutter which was fitted with a short blade when police arrested him for possessing cannabis last year. Officers smashed the window of his parked car when he tried to drive off before they could search him.

He was arrested and 20 grams of cannabis and the cutter were found in his rucksack, Exeter Crown Court was told.

Reeves, of Grange Close, Newton Abbot, admitted possession of a knife and personal possession of cannabis and was ordered to do 150 hours unpaid community work under a community order.

The judge asked him where he planned to open his barber’s shop and said he may come for a haircut if he was nearby. He added: ‘Then you can put bladed articles to their proper use.’

He also warned Reeves that any blade risks causing injury or even death, even if it purportedly carried for self-protection.

Mr Tom Bradnock, prosecuting, said police saw Reeves in a parked car in Paignton at 3am on April 8, 2021 and spoke to him. He gave his details but his passenger refused to do so and they became agitated.

Reeves went to start the car and the police were concerned he would drive off and smashed the window to remove the keys before arresting Reeves and seizing the car.

The cannabis and a grinder were found in his rucksack along with the metal knuckleduster which had a protruding blade.

Mr Martin Salloway asked the judge to follow the advice of a probation report which said Reeves has turned his life around, stopped using cannabis, and is in the process of setting up his own hairdressing business.