A MAN has been fined for possessing a wooden axe in public.

Trevor Dodd (58), of Hexham, was carrying the weapon in the town on June 12, and was also acting in an aggressive manner.

Appearing at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court last Thursday, Dodd pleaded guilty to the separate charges of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

He was fined £323, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £85 and court costs of £85.

A teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also faced the same charges after it was alleged he was carrying a metal pole in public during the same incident.

He was remanded on unconditional bail and will reappear before magistrates on August 21.