AN early-hours walk home from a Bathurst pub has led to a man's appearance in court on a charge of having a knife in a public place.
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The long gap since the man's last appearance in court was noted as he was convicted and fined.
Colin Rodney Lees, 39, of Hill Street, Bathurst, was in Bathurst Local Court on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 to plead guilty to having custody of a knife in a public place (first offence).
Police documents before the court said Lees left a Bathurst pub at around 2.30am on Friday, March 7 and started walking home, going north on Lambert Street.
As he walked home, he was approached by two males and began having trouble and arguing with them, according to the police documents.
The two males followed him as all three argued.
Lees phoned his brother, who made his way to Lees on Suttor Street, and arguing continued between the group until all four of them were at the intersection of Larson and Hill streets.
At this time, according to the police documents, Lees pulled a small black and silver flick knife from his pocket.
He and his brother then argued and his brother grabbed the knife from Lees.
At some point during all this, Lees stabbed himself in the right thigh, according to the police documents.
Police said they arrived a short time later and spoke to Lees, who made full admissions to having the knife in his possession, intending to use it for self-defence.
In court
Lees, who represented himself in court, was asked by Magistrate Gemma Slack-Smith if there was anything he wanted to tell the court before he was sentenced.
"No," he said. "I just want to plead guilty."
Police prosecutor Sergeant Belinda Cooper said she would not be heard against a small fine.
Ms Slack-Smith noted that Lees had previously pleaded not guilty before changing his plea to guilty, as well as noting that it had been about 12 years since he was before the court and that was for a driving offence.
In convicting Lees and fining him $300, Ms Slack-Smith confirmed with him that he was aware that he couldn't carry a knife around.
"Aware of that now, Your Honour," Lees said.
