A 35-year-old man has admitted carrying a knuckle duster and a knife when he was stopped by police.

Przemyslaw Henryk Pasternak, of Belmont Terrace, Douglas, said he had the weapons for ’protection’.

He pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon and possessing a prohibited article in a public place, as well as possessing class ’C’ drug pregabalin.

Prosecuting advocate Hazel Carroon told a court this week that police were called to Alder Road in Douglas on June 8 at 12.20am.

They had received a report of a man wearing a hooded top and combat trousers involved in an altercation with a man who was wearing a straw hat, T-shirt and shorts.

Police located Pasternak and he was said to be suffering from an eye injury. When officers searched him they found the knuckle duster and a lock knife in his pockets.

He told police: ’It’s for protection.’

Once at police headquarters a bag containing white capsules, later identified as pregabalin, was also found in his possession.

When interviewed Pasternak handed in a prepared statement saying that he had been attacked previously so he carried the items for protection. He said that he took the pregabalin for headaches.

Ms Carroon said that no details had been supplied by the police regarding how many capsules were found or if any action had been taken against the other man allegedly involved.

Defence advocate Stephen Wood handed in a basis of plea on behalf of his client - who appeared in court with a Polish interpreter - in which Pasternak said he had been assaulted on June 6, two days before his own arrest.

He denied being involved in an altercation and said that at no time had the weapons been removed from his pockets.

Mr Wood submitted that the offence was at the bottom end of the offensive weapons scale.

The case was adjourned for a probation report to be completed which High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said should consider all options, including custody.

Pasternak will be sentenced on September 8.

Bail was granted in the sum of £500 with conditions that he contact probation, live at his home address, and not leave the island without court consent.