Mohammed Zeeshan Sadiq, a 20-year-old from Marston Green in Solihull, faces prison after pleading guilty to two counts of possessing a bladed article at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, October 13. He was found carrying a 12-inch zombie knife and a 7-inch blade on Fordbridge Road, near Babbs Mill Park, on August 27.
Mother claims grooming in court
During the hearing, Sadiq's mother told the magistrates: "My son has been groomed, I'm going to take him out of the city." She questioned whether probation would allow her to take him out of the city, but was told the case was adjourned until January.
Sadiq's solicitor, Mr Iqbal, said: "There are issues going on in the background. He has been told to do things and been groomed as a young person." He added: "Clearly this matter crosses the custody threshold."
Previous offence and bail conditions
The court heard that Sadiq is already subject to a community order for a previous possession offence. Under his bail conditions, he cannot travel in a vehicle with more than two people, and he is "not to enter Babbs Mill Park, Solihull for any reason."
Magistrates warn of prison risk
Adjourning for a pre-sentence report, the chair of the magistrates told Sadiq: "These are exceptionally serious matters. You have put yourself at risk of prison, do you understand?"
"You are going to have in-depth interviews with probation. It is in your interest to co-operate fully with probation. Obviously you need punishing, but it's in everybody's interest if a sentence can be found to help your rehabilitation."
Sadiq's sentence was adjourned until January 22.
