A MAN found carrying a knife when fighting broke out at Cleator Moor has been sentenced by a judge.

Josh Walter Rudd, 21, appeared at Carlisle Crown Court after violence flared at around 10pm on August 1 last year on land at King George Close.

Rudd was found in possession of a folding pocket knife. It was stressed, however, that the blade had not been produced or used during the disturbance. He pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing a bladed article in a public place, and was sentenced by Judge Peter Hughes QC.

Prosecutor Antony Longworth said Rudd had taken part in “an agreed or an arranged fight” involving three other men.

Rudd was one of two men hurt during the violence, and later went to hospital.

The court heard Rudd had a “limited” criminal record. He had the offer of work for a demolition company in Birkenhead.

That job was due to start within the next two months, and family members were due to relocate to that area.

Sentencing Rudd, Judge Hughes told him: “Just what happened in King George Close, Cleator Moor, on August 1 last year is far from clear.

“The picture I get is of a most unattractive confrontation between a number of young men, in the course of which injuries were inflicted; certainly to you and certainly to at least one other person.”

“The simple fact is, though, that you were carrying a knife. There was no evidence that you used it in the course of the incident,” said the judge.

“Had you used it in the course of the incident, the injuries no doubt would have been particularly serious and you would have faced a much more serious charge.”

Rudd, of Robert Owen Place, Cleator Moor, was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.