'Alarming potential': Man who brought knives into Yass Court House jailed

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William Noel Arthur, 35, of Yass Street, Rye Park, appeared before Goulburn Local Court from custody on May 12. He pleaded guilty to possession of three knives on court premises.

Defence solicitor Tim McGrath told the court his client had attended Yass court for another matter on March 12, 2021.

He said the knives were discovered by police after Arthur was taken into custody.

Mr McGrath said Arthur "just plain forgot" he had a folding knife and two pocket knives in his possession.

"He certainly didn't have [the knives] for any nefarious activity," he said.

"It was just stupidity."

Magistrate Geraldine Beattie said there was "alarming potential in having a knife at close reach in a court room".

"You don't bring these things into court, you don't bring them anywhere into the community," she said.

"Especially in court where things can go very wrong."

Arthur was sentenced to seven months imprisonment with a non-parole period of three months. The sentence will commence in December.

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