A man has been jailed for brandishing a replica sword from the Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda on the streets of a market town in England, which he claimed was a fidget toy to keep his hands busy.
Man Arrested for Carrying Zelda Replica Sword in Public
Four Months in Prison and a Fine
image (c) Warwickshire Police
Recently this week, a man named Anthony Bray received a four-month prison sentence after being found in possession of a bladed article, a replica of the "master sword" from The Legend of Zelda series, in public. In addition to four months in prison, Bray was fined £154 (approximately $195), according to Warwickshire police.
On June 8, Bray was walking down Queens Road, Nuneaton, with the sword in hand. Bray approached the officers with the blade visible and was subsequently arrested for carrying a bladed article. The blade's length measured up to six inches. Despite Bray's claims that the sword was purchased as a fidget toy, the police proceeded with the arrest, citing Bray's past offenses, including burglary.
In the UK, carrying most knives or any weapons in public without a valid reason is illegal, with the main exception being folding pocket knives with blades no longer than three inches. The blade Bray carried was inside a sheath that could be released with the press of a button.
The blade was also sharp, making it potentially dangerous. According to the police report, officers tried to explain to Bray that, despite its intended purpose as a fidget spinner, it could be "used as a weapon and might put others in fear of it being used against them." He was also carrying it openly in the town center. Despite agreeing that it could be perceived dangerously, Bray insisted that he would not have used it as a weapon.
Sgt Spellman of the Patrol Investigations Unit reiterated the seriousness of the offense. "We take a zero tolerance to bladed articles in public, and Bray has fallen afoul of this," he said. "It is possible to find fidget toys that aren’t six-inch blades. It is possible not to walk down the street holding them out in front of you. With a bit more self-awareness, Bray could have avoided contact with us completely."
Source:
Anthony Bray sentenced to four months for possession of replica Master Sword
