Telford teenager sentenced for possession of flick knife and cannabis

A teenager from Telford has appeared before magistrates after being found in possession of an offensive weapon and Class B drugs earlier this year.

William Ford, 18, of Parkdale in Hadley, appeared at Telford Magistrates’ Court on 19 March 2026 to face two charges following an incident on 15 January.

The court heard that Ford was found in possession of a flick knife inside a private property at Parkdale. Under section 141 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, it is an offence to possess certain restricted weapons even within a private dwelling.

In a separate charge, Ford was also found to be in possession of a quantity of cannabis, a controlled Class B drug.

Ford pleaded guilty to both charges during the first hearing. Magistrates took his early guilty plea into account when delivering the sentence, which resulted in a 14-month conditional discharge for both offences. This means that while no immediate punishment is imposed, if Ford commits another offence within the next 14 months, he can be sentenced for these original crimes as well as any new ones.

The bench also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the flick knife under the Prevention of Crime Act 1953, and the cannabis under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

In addition to the conditional discharge, Ford was ordered to pay costs of £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service.