THREE young adults who were witnessed carrying a kitchen knife on a residential street have been told they were ‘that close’ to being sent to jail.

The incident occurred on September 15 on Camberwell Drive in Lower Walton, explained Katie Johnson, prosecuting during the sentencing hearing at Warrington Magistrates’ Court

Cheshire Police received a report of two men and a woman walking down the street with a kitchen knife.

These were 18-year-old Aliyah Davis, her 26-year-old brother Dylan Ireland and her 19-year-old boyfriend Oliver Whittaker.

They were reported entering a Fiat 500, which officers were able to trace to Davis, of Malpas Drive in Sankey Bridges, through the car’s registration plate.

All three defendants were arrested on suspicion of possessing a knife in a public place, with each later charged. They entered guilty pleas to the allegation at a previous court hearing.

Ms Johnson informed the court that none of the defendants have any previous convictions.

Representing Davis and Ireland, also of Malpas Drive, Elizabeth Dyson described the incident as ‘unfortunate’, and one spanning from an argument between Ireland and his flatmate.

It was said that the flatmate had ‘brandished a knife towards him in the middle of the night’, causing him to leave while half dressed.

He contacted his sister who, ‘fearful for his welfare’, made the ‘foolish’ decision to take a knife with her when she picked him up with her boyfriend, of Wiltshire Close in Woolston.

A nearby resident saw the knife and reported it to the police, with the trio making full admissions to officers during their interviews.

“The knife was not brandished, and there was no disorder or threats. It was a very foolish decision, and one which has far-reaching consequences,” Ms Dyson said of the warehouse workers.

“It has been a very frightening experience to come before the court and plead guilty to a very serious offence.

“They are extremely concerned about the prospect of an immediate custodial sentence. They are two otherwise very law-abiding people who made a very foolish decision.”

Whittaker, who has a full-time job offer with a supermarket chain, was represented by Rachel Mason, who echoed the sentiments of Ms Dyson’s mitigation.

She added that the offence was committed out of immaturity, that he has learnt from his mistake, and that he has expressed significant remorse and insight into his offending.

Before sentencing, magistrates said: “We have considered everything said, and we have to tell you, this is serious stuff. You carry a knife, and someone gets hurt.

“That being said, we are not sending you to prison today. Due to your no previous convictions, the mitigation put forward, your youth and your lack of maturity, we can come back from a custodial sentence.

“Your prompt guilty pleas have saved you from going to custody today, but you have been very stupid, and I have to tell you, you were that close to being at His Majesty’s pleasure.”

Each defendant was handed a 12-month community order and told they must complete 300 hours of unpaid work.

Magistrates also approved an order for the forfeiture and destruction of the kitchen knife.