A CARDIGAN man caught on CCTV with a knife in a town centre street said he collects knives used as props in films and claimed police officers were “making something out of nothing”.

Andrew Thomas Lane, 46, had denied possessing the knife in Pendre on 17 June with magistrates hearing that CCTV showed Lane holding the large kitchen knife, but he was convicted following a trial.

Lane had earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of cannabis on the same day.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said that police officers who saw the CCTV footage of Lane with the knife identified him and went to his home at Flat 2, 42 Pendre.

A search of the property saw police discover 1.4g of cannabis and a bag, which they recognised from the CCTV footage. Inside the bag, they found a knife sheath.

He told officers that he collected knives using as props in films and insisted that police were “making something out of nothing”.

Lane insisted that someone else must have put the knife in the bag which he took out with him.

Defence solicitor Alan Lewis said Lane had admitted the cannabis possession charge immediately, but had denied the knife possession charge and was “devastated” at being convicted.

Lane was given a 12-month community order and will have to complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days as part of the order. Magistrates also fined him £80 and ordered him to pay costs totalling £285.