Pleaded not guilty having with 14 inch blade in his possession

A man has been jailed for 6 months after he was found in possession of a sword on High Street, West Ealing.

Police officers form Operation Wolverine stopped 23-year-old Mukhtar Mohamed of Canham Road, Acton at around 4.30pm on 5 December last year.

They were on patrol in the borough of Ealing specifically targeting knife related crime.

Officers initially found five snap bags of herbal cannabis on Mukhtar and when they continued to search they also discovered a large sword with a 14 inch blade concealed in the waist band of his clothing.

Mukhtar was arrested and taken to Acton Police station where he was subsequently charged with Possession of Cannabis and Possession of an Offensive Weapon. He was bailed to Ealing Magistrates court on 31 December 2018 where he entered a not guilty plea. The case was adjourned several times due to legal discussions and eventually came to trial on Monday 13 May at Uxbridge Magistrates court where Mukhtar maintained his not guilty plea.

Due to the strength of evidence given by the officers at the scene and bodycam footage of the incident showing Mukhtar in possession of the sword, he was found guilty of both charges. He was subsequently sentenced to 6 months imprisonment.

Inspector Dan Thompson, in charge of Operation Wolverine, said, “This is the exact reason why I joined the police and this is the exact reason why #OpWolverine was formed and is another success story which needs to be celebrated. This incident shows the absolute disregard that some individuals have for the law and society in general, I for one will continue to do my upmost in putting people like this before the courts in order to protect the public.”

May 30, 2019