Sponsor drops surfer for carrying knife

A PROFESSIONAL surfer has been dropped by his sponsor because he was convicted of carrying a knife in public in Scotland.

Charly Martin, 21, from Guade-loupe in the Caribbean, was caught with a kitchen cutlery knife while competing in a surfing event in Thurso, Caithness, in April.

The surfer, ranked No 3 in the world, was fined £500 at Wick Sheriff Court at a hearing last month, court officials said, adding that he had claimed not to know it was an offence in this country.

Sportswear giant Nike said it has now ended its contract with him.

A spokeswoman said: “Nike has ended its sponsorship of Charles Martin as a result of his recent conviction. We have no further comment.”