A Douglas man has been fined £400 for possessing a knuckle duster.

Michael McAlister, aged 37, of River Vale, said that he had taken the weapon from a friend to stop him getting into trouble.

He admitted possessing an offensive weapon and was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs by High Bailiff Jayne Hughes.

Prosecuting advocate Hazel Carroon told the court that police were called to 1886 bar, in Douglas, on January 24 at 11.10pm.

Door staff said they had seen a man with a knuckle duster and identified McAlister who was outside the bar.

He was searched and handed over the weapon saying: ’It’s a key chain, how is that an offensive weapon?’

When interviewed at police headquarters, McAlister said he had taken the knuckle duster from a friend who had been involved in an altercation and that he hand intended to put it in a bin.

Defence advocate David Clegg said the knuckle duster only covered two fingers.

’He didn’t take it out,’ said the advocate. ’He took it off his friend and was seen outside with it. He was not on licensed premises with it.’

Mr Clegg handed in a reference from McAlister’s employer and said that his client worked in the building trade.

The advocate asked for credit to be given for his client’s co-operation with the police at the scene and at the police station.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said she would sentence McAlister on the basis that he was in possession of the weapon on Regent Street but not in 1886 bar.