A MAN who brought a knife into Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital has been sentenced to two months imprisonment.
Prosecutors said the eight-inch blade jutting out of Philip Carr's bag caused an injury to one of the nurses on duty.
Carr, of no fixed address, claimed at the time that he had it with him to go fishing.
The 44-year-old Englishman pleaded guilty to possessing a knife in a public place and having Class B drugs.
Belfast Magistrates Court heard police were called to the hospital's Accident and Emergency Department on August 2 this year.
Security staff handed over a knife they said had been protruding from a bag belonging to Carr.
A female nurse then stated that she had sustained a minor leg injury by catching herself on the blade.
There is no suggestion that the knife was produced or brandished at any stage.
Searches of the bag located a small quantity of suspected cannabis and a grinder.
During police interviews Carr stated it was a fishing knife and that he had it with him for that purpose, a previous court heard.
Defence barrister Danielle McMahon said her client is a painter and decorator who has just moved to Northern Ireland.
Ms McMahon stressed that he immediately accepted the charges and has remained in custody since the incident.
District Judge Ted Magill noted Carr's criminal record included causing a bomb hoax, attempting to pervert the course of justice, and assault offences.
But he acknowledged that the defendant has kept out of trouble for the last 20 years.
Imposing two months custody for the new offences, Mr Magill told him: "That means you should be due for immediate release."
He also ordered destruction of the knife.