JUDGE SHOWS MERCY ON ABBOTS MAN CAUGHT WITH KNIFE

An Abbots Langley carpenter, who was caught by police with a spring-loaded lock knife, has had the case against him dropped.   Jordan Dorsett, 23, was arrested in Oak Green in Abbots Langley on December 1 last year on suspicion of having an offensive weapon. He was charged and due to stand trial at St Albans crown court today/Tuesday, but the prosecution offered no evidence after the defence provided them with details of his work. Prosecutor Jehad Mustafa told Judge Marie Catterson: “The defendant is a carpenter and was interviewed in the back of a police car without legal representation. There was a lack of investigation into the explanation he gave. “He has no criminal record and is a young man of impeccable character who gave a reasonable explanation as to why he had the knife. In these circumstances, the crown will offer no evidence and ask for a not guilty verdict to be recorded.” Defending Stephen Moore said the knife belonged to Mr Dorsett’s father. He asked for his client to be freed from the dock. Judge Marie Catterson recorded a not guilty verdict saying: “I commend the prosecution for taking a sensible attitude.”