A MAN has been cleared of illegally carrying two knives in Tavistock's main street.

David Stephens, 49, told Plymouth Crown Court he had one knife for fishing and one for stripping wiring.

Stephens was stopped by a policeman in Brook Street in the middle of the afternoon and handed over one knife, the jury heard. A second small knife was found in his pocket.

He said he went fishing every night of the week and had forgotten about the blade in his waistcoat.

The defendant said he needed the other knife for stripping wires.

Stephens, from Chillaton, denied two counts of carrying bladed articles without reasonable excuse on July 1.

He was stopped by three officers outside the Oggy Oggy Pasty Shop at about 3.30pm.

Asked questions by Judge John Neligan, he said he had caught a sea trout and a salmon the previous night.

Stephens said he had cut off their heads and tails and put them in the freezer.

The jury, which was shown both knives, acquitted him on both charges after a short trial.