Crook back behind bars after being found with blades and 'knuckleduster' in Workington pub

Carlisle Crown Court heard Ryan Neil Simpson had been released from prison on March 7.

Simpson had previously been given a two-year jail term in September.

This followed a bout of bad driving during which he flouted a host of road rules in west Cumbria and, in the opinion of a judge, “put others at risk”.

That offending was seen by an off-duty police officer, who had raised the alarm and gave a running commentary as 40-year-old Simpson racked up a catalogue of crimes.

Simpson was released from custody on a home detention curfew, which he swiftly breached.

And as police arrested him in a Workington pub on March 27, a number of new crimes came to light.

Prosecutor Gerard Rogerson told the court yesterday how a hand-held “punch knife” was found on a strap around Simpson’s neck.

A small finger blade was located in his pocket, and he also had a knuckleduster-style ring with “two points emanating from it”. None had been used to threaten anyone.

“Mr Simpson was taken into custody,” said Mr Rogerson.

“He was sleepy and still under the influence. He was falling asleep in a holding cell.”

When strip-searched he was found to have small quantities of heroin and cannabis on his person.

He admitted possession of two bladed articles, an offensive weapon and the drugs.

Robert Dudley, defending, told how Simpson, of Queen Street, Maryport, had been released from his mother’s address on home detention curfew.

“He stayed there for about three weeks, and in the course of that time started using drugs again,” said Mr Dudley.

“There followed an argument through which his mother threw him out.”

Simpson was keen to seek help but, Mr Dudley conceded, “he has an awful (criminal) record driven by drugs”.

Recorder Charles Garside QC jailed Simpson for six months, having read of his 162 previous offences.

“Since you were 16-years-old you have been committing criminal offences, and you have been in and out of prison,” he said.