Man found with knife in Bognor claims it was to slice tomatoes

Andrzej Kramarz, 38, was found guilty of possession a knife blade or sharp pointed article which had a blade longer than three inches in a public place at Worthing Magistrates’ Court today, November 22.

Kramarz did not attend today’s trial and magistrates decided to proceed in his absence.

Prosecutor Laura Jenking-Rees said police officers were checking on a male found slumped in Sunken Gardens at 11.40pm on April 12 and Kramarz was one of a group of four people sat on a bench nearby who officers then wanted to speak to.

Kramarz, of no fixed address, was then arrested with the group for what the prosecution described as an ‘unrelated matter’.

When the defendant was in custody his belongings were checked, revealing a knife with a blade longer than three inches, the court heard.

Kramarz pleaded not guilty and claimed, in a police interview, that the knife was for making sandwiches at work and slicing tomatoes.

The prosecutor said the knife was seized at 3.36am on April 13.

She added that it was found wrapped in toilet paper alongside two beers.

Chairman of the bench of magistrates Michael Harris said: “The absence of Mr Kramarz is totally unsatisfactory from the point of view of this court; particularly from his point of view.

“Based on what we have heard there’s no other option but to find Mr Kramarz guilty.”

Following the verdict, Mr Harris issued a warrant for Kramarz’s arrest.