Man, 31, sentenced for affray and possession of a bladed article in Portsmouth

Liam Thomas Wall, 31, has been sentenced for affray and possession of a bladed article.

At Portsmouth Crown Court on Thursday (23 November), Wall, of Waverley Road, Southsea was handed 16 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. He pleaded guilty to both offences.

It follows an incident in Elm Grove, Portsmouth shortly after 10pm on Sunday 23 July.

Responding to a report of a disturbance, involving a total of four people, officers attended and found Wall, who also had an open wound to his head, in possession of a knife. He was immediately arrested at the scene.

The others present during the incident were thankfully unharmed.

In addition to the suspended sentence, Wall must complete a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement and a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

He was also ordered to forfeit any weapons for destruction.

If you have concerns about someone whom you think might be carrying a bladed article, or other weapon, in public, please let us know.

You can do this by calling 101 or reporting online via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website.

You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

If you ever spot someone on the streets with a weapon, do not approach them. Call 999 immediately.

Please also remember the following;

- Carrying a knife puts you in danger, it doesn’t protect you.

- 99% of young people don’t carry a knife.

- Carrying a knife for protection is illegal and if you’re found to be in possession of one, you could be arrested and prosecuted, as was the case here.

- Not all young people who carry weapons intend to use them. But if a young person carries a weapon and gets into an argument, the situation is more likely to get out of control and a knife is more likely to be used by someone involved.
Up until Monday 18 December, you can dispose of knives and other weapons at the following amnesty bin

- Portsmouth, Eastern Hampshire Police Investigation Centre, Airport Service Road

A full list of the amnesty bins across Hampshire can be found at the below link;

Op Sceptre 2023 | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary