A Burton Joyce man has been jailed after trying to ditch a knife on the shelves of a busy Nottingham store when police moved in to arrest him.
Eamon Costello, 18, was spotted by Nottinghamshire Police’s knife crime team while officers were patrolling the city centre on April 16.
The officers recognised Costello, who was wanted for unrelated matters, and followed him into Boyes department store before detaining him.
But a subsequent search of the shop uncovered a lock knife hidden behind folded towels on a shelf.
Police believe Costello discarded the weapon as he realised officers were closing in.
Costello, of Broadmead, Burton Joyce, later admitted possessing a knife in a public place.
At Nottingham Crown Court on July 16, he was sentenced to nine months in a young offender institution.
PC Daniel Cresswell, from the force’s knife crime team, said Costello showed little regard for public safety when he abandoned the blade.
He said: “Knife carriers will often try to discard weapons when we approach or follow them.
“In this case, Costello clearly had little concern about who might end up finding the knife when he dumped it on the shelves of a busy shop.
“Costello has a number of previous convictions for knife possession and has been arrested previously in the city centre by the knife crime team.
“I’m pleased he has now received a spell behind bars.”
The officer added that people who continue to carry knives should expect to be caught, arrested and prosecuted.
He said: “Those who continue to carry weapons on the street must understand they will be caught on camera, arrested, charged and are likely to end up in jail.”
