Police found a samurai sword within reach of children at a digger company boss’s house.

Thomas King, 31, was abroad when officers executed a warrant at his address in Aylesham, near Canterbury.

But the dad said the 75cm blade and a knuckle-duster, which he uses as a paperweight, were just “ornaments” that are part of his weapons collection, Maidstone magistrates heard.

King, who also owns a tanning shop, admitted two counts of possessing an offensive weapon in a private place and was fined £440.

The court heard that on March 2, police searched his home in Bell Grove over an unrelated matter.

The knuckle-duster and samurai sword were found within easy reach of children who also lived at the address.

Debbie Jones, prosecuting at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on September 5, said: “Officers attended the address with a warrant over an unrelated matter and he was out of the country – only his children and girlfriend were there.

“He attended an interview at Maidstone police station on March 16 and the unrelated matters were not successful [didn’t result in charges] but during the search of his property several weapons were found and all were in reach of the children.

“They were prohibited items. The sword was 75cm long.”

Other weapons were also found at the address but were not deemed to be illegal.

Sara Harroon, defending, said her client had purchased the samurai sword at a boot fair and the knuckle-duster was just used as a paperweight.

She added: “He likes weapons. They are ornaments and one was used as a paperweight and the knife was too long.

“He is in a long-term relationship and they have one child together and he has another (from a previous relationship). He is a self-employed boss who employs four people.

“He was offered a caution over the matters if he made a £50 donation to the Kent Search and Rescue charity, but he missed the opportunity to take the conditional caution.”

Ms Jones also confirmed the offer of a caution had been made but there had been a communication breakdown and it had not happened.

Magistrates fined King £440 for the knife offence.

He received no separate penalty for the knuckle-duster offence.

The bench ordered both items to be destroyed.

King was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £58 as well as £85 costs.