Sentencing Ricky White, 39, in Ballarat Magistrates Court on Thursday, magistrate Cynthia Toose warned the wider community that knives would not be tolerated.

“There are too many people carrying knives in the community,” Ms Toose said. 

“Not a day goes by that we don’t see on the television or read in the papers about someone being stabbed.”

Ms Toose said such offending could easily result in jail time.

The court heard White, who pleaded guilty to possessing a controlled weapon without lawful excuse, had been pulled over by police in Wattle Avenue, Wendouree, on February 18 this year when he became nervous upon police speaking to him. 

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Pepe Brown said police then found a black handled knife, which White had concealed down his pants.

Asked why he had the knife, the court heard White told police he carried it because he had “a lot of enemies”.

Referring to a picture of the knife tendered to the court, Ms Toose described it as “nasty”.

David Tamanika, for White, said the offending was “concerning”, adding White had cited depression and anxiety for his reasoning for carrying the knife.

Mr Tamanika also said his client had been subject to threats and assaults in the past.

Ms Toose ordered the knife be forfeited to police before convicting White and fining him $1500.