A man caught with a knife at Norwich station has escaped being sentenced to immediate jail term by one day. 

Paul James, 33, was arrested on May 31 at the Co-Op store on the railway station concourse after police found a four-inch knife during a search.

Norwich Magistrates Court heard he was then arrested again for being in possession of another blade the following day.

READ MORE: Man accused of having large knife in Norwich street

So-called ‘two strikes’ legislation means there is a mandatory minimum sentence of six months imprisonment for a second knife or offensive weapon conviction.

However, magistrates sentencing him for the May 31 offence were told because it pre-dated his second arrest by 24-hours he could not be deemed a ‘two strikes’ offender.

They were also told before the offence was a day older they could not activate a suspended sentence previously imposed for having the knife on June 1. 

READ MORE: Police see steep rise in people carrying knives in Norfolk

James, of Ketts Hill in Norwich, had an appalling record of crimes, prosecutors told the court. 

Ian Fisher, mitigating, said he now had secure accommodation and had the promise of a new job.

Magistrates sentenced him to six months suspended for 12 months.