Charged after buying a screwdriver

A man who attended an EDL demo through Oldham town centre last month has received a suspended jail sentence for possessing a screwdriver in public.

Suspicious Spindles security staff called police after being approached by Daniel Rigby (25), who asked where he could buy a screwdriver, Oldham magistrates heard.

Officers found him on Oldham High Street and found a screwdriver in a carrier bag in his trousers.

Rigby, of Thirlmere Road, Wigan, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, but claimed he had bought the screwdriver to fix his sister’s shed. There was no evidence he had brandished the tool during the demo on May 25.