Offence
Possess knife blade / sharp pointed article in a public place - Criminal Justice Act 1988
How often this offence appears in the published court listings for England and Wales, which courts list it most and where to read the official sentencing guideline.
- Hearings listed
- 5,144
- Upcoming hearings
- 59
- Next listed date
- Mon, 26 October 2026
- Courts listing it
- 140
- Heard in
- Magistrates' Court (5,144)
- Sentencing guideline
- Bladed articles and offensive weapons - having in a public place
- Official offence code
- CJ88144
- The law
- Contrary to section 139(1) and (6) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.
- Where it can be tried
- Magistrates' court or Crown Court
- Can lead to prison
- Yes
Courts that list it most
- Birmingham Magistrates' Court (232 hearings)
- Manchester Magistrates' Court (203 hearings)
- Croydon Magistrates' Court (196 hearings)
- Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court (164 hearings)
- Thames Magistrates' Court (147 hearings)
- Westminster Magistrates' Court (119 hearings)
- Bromley Magistrates' Court (116 hearings)
- Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court (103 hearings)
- Sheffield Magistrates' Court (96 hearings)
- Uxbridge Magistrates' Court (88 hearings)
- Liverpool & Knowsley Magistrates' Court (87 hearings)
- Willesden Magistrates' Court (87 hearings)
- Nottingham Magistrates' Court (86 hearings)
- Bristol Magistrates' Court (80 hearings)
- Dudley Magistrates' Court (75 hearings)
Related offences
- Threaten a person with a blade / sharply pointed article in a public place
- Possess an offensive weapon in a public place
- Possess an imitation firearm in a public place - Firearms Act 1968
- Use a motor vehicle on a road / public place without third party insurance
- Drive a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road / in a public place without due care and attention
- Drunk and disorderly in a public place
- Possess an offensive weapon in private place
- Acquire / use / possess criminal property