A MAN caught with a 'cutlass' in the centre of Wantage has been jailed.

When Jimmy Down was found with the blade he was already subjected to a suspended sentence order after he was previously caught with a hand scythe in Oxford.

The 33-year-old of East Challow, Wantage, pleaded guilty at Oxford Crown Court today to one offence of having a bladed article in a public place and to breaching a suspended sentence.

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Outlining the case prosecutors said police were alerted to a man acting in a 'concerning' manner in Wantage at about 11pm on February 15.

Investigating officers went to a van and inside they found Down and another passenger, along with a sword, described in court as a 'cutlass' without a scabbard which appeared 'old and dull.'

This took place after he was spared jail for having a 'hand scythe' in Oxford last year.

In mitigation defence barrister Kellie Enever said that her client had purchased the blade from a man who has an antique shop and it was a gift.

Down was jailed for a total of seven months, made up of five months for having the blade in Wantage together with two months from his original suspended sentence.