A man says a knife found by police underneath the back seat of his car was used for fishing.

The blade was discovered in Andrew Bruce’s vehicle by officers in Folkestone in November last year, after false allegations were made about him, Folkestone Magistrates’ Court heard.

Bruce, 44, was later charged with possessing a bladed article and pleaded guilty to the offence on Thursday, September 19.

The court was told that Bruce, of Westbourne Gardens, Folkestone, may lose his new job in the security industry as a result of this conviction.

Dylan Bradshaw, prosecuting, said: “The officers were in Folkestone and went to make inquiries about something that had occurred.

“Their inquiries led to the defendant and they searched his car and found a knife under the back seat.

“He was arrested and confronted over the knife and he replied: ‘What’s illegal about it?’

“He knows it is [illegal], and he’s not been in trouble for 21 years.”

Emma Wight, defending, said the knife was used for fishing.

She added: “He kept it out of sight so it wasn’t a danger to anyone else.

“False allegations [were made] and that’s why they [the police] were searching the vehicle, he wasn’t brandishing it or anything.”

Judge Nelson then asked Ms Wright why Bruce had not left the knife indoors.

She replied: “He had taken his fishing box out of the vehicle and simply forgot the knife was there.

“He’s started a new job in the security industry and as a result of this, he may now lose his employment.”

Ms Wright requested an adjournment so a full pre-sentencing report could be carried out as the offence could carry a six-month prison sentence.

District Judge William Nelson agreed and ordered an all-options report. Bruce will be sentenced at the same court on November 6. He was granted bail until then.

It was never revealed in court what false allegations had been made against Bruce.