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A Hartcliffe man appeared in court after ordering an illegal weapon over the internet.
Charlie Bevan, of Collinson Road, imported a butterfly knife because he has a “penchant” for weaponry.
Butterfly knives, or balisongs, originate from the Philippines. The folding pocketknives conceal their blade when closed.
Bevan, 27, appeared in Bristol Magistrates’ Court on February 20 and was ordered to pay £355 after admitting he imported the prohibited knife.
Prosecutor Kevin Blackmore said: “On October 12, a border force official working at a Royal Mail logistics centre was opening packages and parcels.
“They selected 10 packages they suspected may contain weaponry. One was addressed to the defendant.
“They opened it and found a butterfly knife. They recorded and sealed the item, then informed police.”
The court was shown a picture of the knife, which has a black blade.
Ian Kelcey, mitigating, said: “The background is that he collects weapons.
“Now, that may seem an odd thing to collect, but he had no intention of ever taking it out in public.
“He had not been aware it was an offence to order it over the internet. You’d have thought the internet might have a system in place to say, ‘You can’t buy this’.
“Clearly they don’t, because they’re more interested in taking people’s money. We now have this problem.”
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Mr Kelsey acknowledged his client has a “penchant” for illicit weapons, adding: “He now realises he has to quickly end that penchant.”
Presiding Justice Deborah Merrick told Bevan to pay £355 and ordered the destruction of the weapon.
