A TEENAGER who said he nearly had his throat cut by a gang claimed he only carried a baseball bat for protection and took cannabis to calm his nerves.

Police stopped a Toyota Yaris driven by Dilwaar Ahmed [corr in Cleveland Drive, Cowley, on January 3, and discovered a small bag of herbal cannabis on him.

But Sarah Mackay, prosecuting, said a more thorough search of the car unearthed a metal baseball bat hidden in the boot and 19 bags containing 25.7g cannabis under the steering wheel console.

She added: “The estimated value of the drugs was a street value of £380. The weapon that was found in the boot of the car he said was for his own protection because he said he had been stabbed recently.

“There is no suggestion he was waving the weapon around in a threatening way.”

The 18-year-old admitted one count of possessing a class B controlled drug and of having an offensive weapon without lawful authority. Ms Mackay said that the reason Ahmed had not been charged with intent to supply drugs was because there were no scales or mobile phone messages to suggest dealing.

However, Christopher Lewis, defending, said Ahmed had never had any intention of using the baseball bat to attack people, but it was for his protection.

Mr Lewis told Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Monday [Aug 18] that Ahmed had been attacked and had nearly been stabbed with a knife.

He added: “Mr Ahmed was attacked in his car in November, set upon by youths and adults.

“They attacked him in the driver’s side of his vehicle and have attempted to slice at his throat.

“This was an unprovoked attack upon him that has had a lasting effect. He believes they were trying to take his car.”

Mr Lewis said Ahmed, of Chatham Road, Oxford, escaped the car and fled, but put the baseball bat in the car to feel safe and turned to cannabis to stop his anxiety.

He added: “He has reverted to cannabis use since that date, basically trying to cope with the memories of that incident.

“The baseball bat gives him piece of mind, knowing it is in the vehicle.

“While he is saying it was for personal protection, he would never have any intention of using it.”

Ahmed was given a 28-day community order, with a curfew from 7pm to 7am Monday to Friday which will be electronically monitored.