A MAN who went to a music festival with a hunting knife has been spared jail.

Joseph Hale tied the 4ins blade to his leg with string when he went to the Kelvedon Music Festival.

But it became visible when the 19-year-old was dancing and jumping about and police were called.

Lesli Sternberg, prosecuting, said Hale told police people were out to get him and he needed the hunting knife.

She added Hale, of Birchwood Close, Tiptree, had drunk half a litre of rum over the course of the music event, on July 11.

Peter Barlex, mitigating, said Hale was in Tesco, Tiptree, buying alcohol to take to the festival when three men approached him. One said he would be hurt if he went to the event.

Hale said leading up to this, friends of his had been assaulted in a number of incidents in the Tiptree area.

Mr Barlex said: “He was in fear of his safety and thought long and hard about going to the festival.

“He decided to do so and made the stupid, ridiculous decision to take the knife with him.”

He said Hale, a keen musician who is studying at a college in Colchester, had no addiction issues.

Hale admitted possessing a knife.

Recorder Sonia Woodley QC imposed a 12-month community order, 200 hours unpaid work and made him pay £300 in legal costs.

She told Hale, who was of previous good character: “Courts regard the carrying of knives very seriously. They are capable of causing serious injury or, indeed, death.”

She told Hale he had come “very close to going inside”, but she said she was taking an exceptional course.