Romanian man stopped in Norfolk had Samurai sword in car

Marius Busuioc, 35, was driving a BMW car on Hall Road, Great Yarmouth when he was stopped by police.

Norwich Crown Court heard the Romanian national, who had never passed a driving test, was asked to produce his licence by officers.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest) Danielle O'Donovan, prosecuting, said the document he produced was a "rather poor quality counterfeit".

She said he was arrested and when police conducted a search of the car they discovered a Samurai sword in the boot of the vehicle. He was further arrested for possession of an offensive weapon.

Miss O'Donovan said Busuioc gave no comment when interviewed about his driving licence, following his arrest on September 10 last year.

He did however tell police the weapon was a "decorative sword" which had ended up in the boot, although he was not sure why it was there.

Busuioc, of Almond Road, Gorleston, appeared at court on Tuesday exactly a year after his arrest. He admitted using a false instrument with intent it be accepted as genuine and possession of an offensive weapon.

Marius Busuioc (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

Martin Ivory said in mitigation that the defendant had admitted the offences and the sword had been kept in a private place, namely the boot of his car.

He said it was commonplace in Romania to simply go and purchase a driving licence if you can "drive a bit".

Mr Ivory said they could not resist any application for forfeiture or destruction of the sword.

In imposing a community order for 18 months, Recorder Paul Garlick said Busuioc was "lucky not to be going to prison today".

He said these were "serious offences" but acknowledged the defendant had admitted them and had limited previous convictions.

Busuioc was also ordered to do 10 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) and 120 hours unpaid work.