A trader has avoided jail after becoming one of the first in the country to be convicted of selling illegal knives at a military show.

Ian Senior, of Surrey, was at the Kent Showground’s Military Odyssey over the August bank holiday weekend.

The 51-year-old was stocking zombie knives – novelty weapons often featuring words or slogans encouraging violence – which had been banned just a week before.

The government feared the blades, inspired by horror films and carrying names like ‘head splitter’, were particularly attractive to youngsters and while sold as collectors items were increasingly linked to crime.

Senior became one of the first people in the country to be convicted of selling the weapons when he stood trial at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday.

He had previously denied offences under section 141 of the Criminal Justice Act of selling and stocking the knives, one of which was branded ‘Zombie Nutcracker’.

Senior was handed a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £620. The knives will be destroyed.