A Norwich man claimed that the reason he had a kitchen knife in his car was because he needed to cut salami for his sandwiches, a court heard.

Viktoras Donaitis, 27, of Copenhagen Way, Mile Cross, pleaded guilty, through an interpreter, to possessing a kitchen knife in a public place on February 25.

He also admitted driving while disqualified and without insurance in Aylsham Road on the same date when he appeared at Norwich Magistrates' Court on Friday. The court also heard that Cromer magistrates on Thursday had found him guilty in his absence of driving without insurance on November 11.

Michael Cole, for Donaitis, who is Lithuanian, said he needed the knife to cut salami for sandwiches, and said he had been confused when he was banned from driving earlier this year for an offence of driving without due care and attention, and thought he could still drive his own car.

He was ordered to do 180 hours' unpaid work, banned from driving for 12 months, fined �100 plus a �15 surcharge, and ordered to pay �85 costs. The judge also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the knife.