A HOLYWELL man found to be carrying a “catalogue of weapons” has avoided jail.

Kieran Onions, aged 25 and of Llys Maesteg, appeared before Mold Crown Court on Thursday for sentencing.

He’d been convicted previously at the Magistrates Court for having a bladed or pointed article in a public place, possession of an offensive weapon in public and possession of a prohibited weapon for the discharge of electric.

Maria Masselis, prosecuting, told the court that at about 11pm on May 19 this year police were alerted to a ‘male in possession of a number of weapons’ in Wrexham town centre.

Officers spotted Onions, who matched the description given.

He was acting suspiciously and sought to hide behind a car.

When approached he provided what appeared to be a passport in his name.

Police told him Onions he would be searched, at which point he grabbed the straps of a rucksack and was then detained.

In the rucksack officers found a number of knives, knuckledusters and a stun gun.

Ms Masselis said while en route to the police station, he told officers he’d found the weapons and there were “lots more” but he wouldn’t tell them where.

He was also under the influence of alcohol, the court was told.

Dafydd Roberts, defending, said: “At first blush, it is a very worrying case; a young man found in Wrexham carrying such a catalogue of weapons.

“The background to his offending is that he was living at home with his mother.

“There had been an argument and he decided to leave home and packed items including these weapons.

“He didn’t want to leave them at home.”

He said Onions had experienced mental health difficulties throughout his childhood and into adulthood.

Mr Roberts continued: “He has ADHD, learning difficulties and has been assessed and is on the autistic spectrum.

“He has the support of the community mental health team and is living semi-independently.”

Onions had bought the weapons online, Mr Roberts said, and had a “fascination” with them.

He had displayed remorse and some insight into the impact they could have, the court heard.

Judge Timothy Petts told Onions: “Weapons in the hands of someone under the influence of alcohol is a worrying thing.”

“You have long standing mental health difficulties for which you have been receiving treatment since you were a child.

“It is clear you were remorseful.

“In my view the prospect of rehabilitation, your mitigation and the need to keep protective factors in your life outweigh the need for immediate custody.”

Judge Petts handed Onions a 12 month sentence for possession of the stun gun, as well as a concurrent four months for the possession of a blade and two months concurrent for the offensive weapon - but suspended the sentence for 18 months.

Onions must undertake 20 days of rehabilitation activity and observe a three month curfew.

He must pay £100 towards the prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of £56.