A PENCADER man who was found carrying a machete in Carmarthen has avoided jail.

Matthew Pugh, of 88 Maescader, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on 27 July.

The 25-year-old pleaded guilty to charges of possessing a machete on St David’s Street in Carmarthen on 14 January this year.

Magistrates handed Pugh a 16 week jail term suspended for 12 months.

Magistrates said that while the offence was “so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified”, the jail term was suspended because there was a “realistic prospect of rehabilitation” and Pugh had no previous convictions.

Pugh was also handed a community order to include 100 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay prosecution costs of £85 as well as a surcharge to fund victim services of £154.