A SOUTHAMPTON man caught with a knuckleduster has been given a suspended sentence.

Samuel Richard Stewart, 25, had the weapon in Medwall Green, Southampton, on January 22.

Appearing at Southampton Magistrates' Court, Stewart, care of Burke Drive, Thornhill, pleaded guilty to being in possession of an offensive weapon.

Stewart was sentenced to three months in prison, which was suspended for 12 months due to what the magistrates deemed a "realistic proposal of rehabilitation".

He was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work as part of the suspended sentence order.

Stewart was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £122 and court costs of £85.