You couldn't make it up...... (5)

Brush with the law for carrying a comb

Saturday, 2 May 2009




A Derry man has been convicted of possessing an offensive weapon after he was caught carrying a hair comb.

Derry Magistrates’ Court heard that 31-year-old Noel Lavy had the comb concealed in his sleeve on November 17 of last year.

Four inches of the comb were visible when police stopped him at Rosemount Avenue and he could give no explanation for having it.

When Lavy was asked by police if he carried anything else when he didn’t have the comb on him, he replied “iron bars”.

A prosecution lawyer said Lavy had the comb for “defending himself or injuring someone” and that it was “very sharp and very dangerous and the police officer was afraid herself when she saw it”.

However defence solicitor Kevin Casey told the court the comb belonged to Lavy's girlfriend who works as a hairdresser.

Mr Casey said because there is no indication of violence in his past record or past behaviour “there is nothing suspicious in the circumstances”.

Convicting Lavy, District Judge Barney McElholm said: “I am afraid I don't believe him. This is not the sort of item to be carried about, half concealed up his arm.”

Mr McElholm adjourned sentencing until June 11 for a probation pre-sentence report to be prepared.

you got to feel sorry for the poor sod... done for carrying a comb ... life ain't fair ... another time a group of real mean looking b'stards can walk around with cricket bats and nobody says a damn thing ...should be arrested the lot of them .. bloody aussie cricket team ..

Bloody 'ell...just now we're likely to get arrested for wielding empty beer mugs...