TWO oriental-style swords were found on Weymouth seafront after a man with drug-induced psychosis hid them from police, a court heard.

Steven Allen-Pick, 23, of Ranelagh Road, Weymouth pleaded guilty to possessing the offensive weapons in a public place, Nothe Parade.

He also admitted failing to surrender to custody at Weymouth police station having been released on bail.

Prosecutor Barry Baines said police were called to the seafront and arrested Allen-Pick before re-attending and finding two oriental-type swords.

The court heard that during an interview Allen-Pick admitted the swords were his and initially said he had discarded them to go to the toilet before admitting it was because he saw the officers.

Mr Baines said Allen-Pick told police he had bought them the previous night from an unknown man in Great George Street, and knew he should not have them in public but he had shown his mates and then put them in a bag.

Ian Graham, in mitigation, said this was a man of previous good character and also a man diagnosed with drug-induced psychosis and attending the Linden Unit in Weymouth.

The court heard that from the age of 16 Allen-Pick had taken a mixture of cannabis, ecstasy, speed and Ketamine which had caused his problems, but still clearly understood right from wrong.

Mr Graham said Allen-Pick had been persuaded to buy the two weapons for £5 each after going to the man for a different item. He said Allen-Pick was signed off work because of his condition but still took cannabis because he said it prevented him from taking amphetamines.

The court heard that when the officers approached him he ran and hid the items.

He was released on conditional bail with requirements to report to Weymouth police station every Monday morning and fully co-operate with the Linden Unit.