Dorset Man Intended to Cut Cheese with Axe

A Dorset man told the court that he was carrying an axe in Weymouth town centre because he wanted to cut some cheese with it.

Michael Doucas, 33, of Lennox Street, Weymouth, denied possession of a bladed article in a public place, but was convicted following a recent trial at Weymouth Magistrates' Court.

Possession of a bladed or sharply pointed article in a public place is an offence under section 139(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. The offence, which is triable either way, has a maximum sentence of 12 months' custody on summary conviction; 4 years' custody on conviction on indictment.

Section 139(4) of the Act provides that it will be a defence for a person to prove that they had good reason or lawful authority for possession of the article. It was on this basis that Doucas denied the allegation.

It's a bit of a strange one this one.

Magistrates heard that a local taxi driver saw Doucas sauntering down the street - axe in one hand, beer in the other - on the afternoon of Tuesday, 12th August 2025.

Clearly concerned at the situation, it being a busy summer day, the driver reported the matter to the police. Officers later attended Doucas' property and ultimately he was arrested in relation to the axe and other matters.

Enquiries later revealed that Doucas had purchased the axe at B&Q shortly before he was spotted by the taxi driver. He said that he had removed it from the carrier bag because it was a poor fit.

Doucas claimed in interview that he had purchased the axe to eat cheese, which was a particular habit of his.

I'll not spoil the rest of the story, which you'll find on the Dorset Echo website.