ACTING on information, two police officers stopped a vehicle in Blaenau Ffestiniog on suspicion of involvement with drugs.

A search proved negative, but the officers found a pick axe handle in the vehicle, Dolgellau magistrates heard.

David Anthony Lewis (pictured), 28, of Flat 1 A Morfa Nefyn in Pwllheli pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in Church Street, Blaenau Ffestiniog, on 16 March.

Tracey Willingham, prosecuting, said that the vehicle had been under observation in Llangefni and Porthmadog and was stopped by police in Church Street, Blaenau Ffestiniog.

The pick axe handle was found in the door well of the vehicle, the court heard.

Hywel Davies, defending, said that his client’s former girlfriend had two dogs and the pick axe handle was used to separate the dogs when they started fighting.

He said that they were no longer together and his client forgot about the inoffensive weapon.

Despite the information received by police, there were no drugs in the defendant’s car, added the defence solicitor.

Lewis, an unemployed scaffolder, owed £530 in unpaid fines, the court heard. Lewis was fined £110, with £85 prosecution costs and £20 victim surcharge. The £215 is to be added to the defendant’s existing fines.