Khayden Lee Fernando, 19, of Bannerman Crescent, Kelso, appeared in custody before magistrate Michael Allen on Monday to face charges of carrying a knife in a public place and not wearing a bike helmet.

Police facts told how Fernando was seen riding a bike without a helmet on October 10 this year and, when police approached him, they saw a large silver blade protruding from his left pocket.

Police searched him and removed a 24-centimetre steel knife from his pocket. They also found a silver folding pocket knife. Fernando told them it was for protection.

On Monday, the court received an oral pre-sentence report for Fernando that said he wanted to move back to Walgett to be with his family. His solicitor Leigh Haywood agreed it would be a positive move.

She said Fernando was a young man who needed the assistance of Community Corrections, who acknowledged difficulties with drugs.

Mr Allen asked Fernando what would happen, once he had gone back to Walgett, if someone asked him if he wanted to get on the gear.

Mr Allen told him to “stay off the drugs”.

“It seems to me you’re a reasonably smart young fellow with good support. I’d like to see you working. I think you can prove to people you can do it,” Mr Allen said.

The charge of a rider not wearing a helmet was dismissed under Section 10 (1) (a). Fernando was placed on a Section 9 bond for 12 months on the knife charge.