A MAN walked through a court metal detector — while carrying a five-inch flick knife.

Stunned security staff caught Abass Razavi with the blade at Bury Magistrates Court on May 10.

Razavi had tried to get into the court while carrying the weapon, accompanied by his pregnant wife and their baby in a pushchair.

Razavi, who had an Iranian interpreter in court, denied one count of possessing an offensive weapon and, at Bolton Crown Court on Friday, a jury found him guilty.

The court heard that Razavi, of Beverley Road, Little Lever, had gone to Bury Magistrates Court for a county court issue and was stopped by security staff when they discovered the knife.

In a statement ahead of a trial, the 38-year-old claimed he found the blade while cycling in Moses Gate Country Park and had held onto it, fearing that a child might get hurt.

Prosecution counsel Graham Robinson said: “In his evidence, Razavi said he had picked up the knife because it was nice and clean and he could use it for a picnic. He never said it was to protect children at Moses Gate."

Defence counsel Adam Lodge said: "Clearly, Mr Razavi had made a number of mistakes in having the knife in his possession when entering the court but they were innocent mistakes.

"When he entered the building, he had no idea that the knife was in his pocket.

“He didn't know it was wrong to possess a knife."

Mr Robinson added: "When the bleeper goes off in the video, Razavi doesn't seem terribly keen to assist the security officers.

“One has to ask — what is his reason for taking a knife into court, when he is trying to sort out a court payment that he doesn't agree with?"

A pre-sentence report will now be drawn up before another hearing on December 6.

Earlier this year, a Bury Times investigation revealed five people tried to smuggle knives into Bury Magistrates Court last November and December and were foiled by vigilant security guards.