AN Aberystwyth man who created an offensive weapon by taping together a belt and heavy padlock told police he had it for self-defence in case he was attacked.

Steven Thomas Evans, of Clydfan, Ystumtuen, pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon on 2 April after he handed it to police after initially being arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said Evans, 32, was arrested in the early hours of 2 April after a roadside breath test suggested he was over the drink-drive limit.

He was found to be under the limit, but during a search he handed over the belt with a heavy padlock attached to it with masking tape.

He told police he kept it in his car for his own protection and did not feel guilty about having it.

Evans said that it was something that he would use if he got attacked by a group of people, but would otherwise not use the weapon.

Defence solicitor Janem Jones said the “very unusual” case may never have gone to court if Evans had been legally represented after his initial arrest for drink-driving.

She said that Evans had been “very honest, but very naive” about the belt and padlock in the police interview.

She added: “Why on earth he’d taped these together, goodness knows. Why on earth he said in the interview why he’d taped these items together I don’t know.”

Probation officers said in a report that Evans had suffered unprovoked attacks which had led to him deciding that he needed something for protection.

Evans was given a 12-month community order and will have to complete 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He will also pay costs totalling £170.