Star's keyring 'a lethal weapon' says PC

A SELF-DEFENCE tool of the type allegedly carried by entertainer Darren Day could be a lethal weapon in trained hands, a court has heard.

And Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday was told that even an untrained person could cause severe injury with a kubotan.

Day, 41, from Cudworth, South Yorkshire, denies possessing an offensive weapon in December last year.

Constable Liam Fitzpatrick, a lead trainer in officer safety with Lothian and Borders Police, told the court that he had more than 30 years' experience in martial arts.

Neil Allan, prosecuting, asked him to look at an item he said was found "in the possession of a particular individual".

PC Fitzpatrick, described the item as a kubotan, 5.5 inches long, which would normally fit into the hand. He said it was designed in the early 1970s and was first used for "close impact control" by Los Angeles Police Department. Since then it has been marketed as a self-defence tool and sold to the public, often as a keyring.

Asked what the tool could do in trained hands, Mr Fitzpatrick replied: "Worst-case scenario, I could kill someone with that."

He said it was more difficult to say what an untrained person could do with it but added: "It can cause severe injury potentially."

The alleged offence is said to have taken place on 18 December in Balfour Street in the capital, when Day was starring in the Queen musical We Will Rock You.

A not guilty plea from Day – who has yet to be sentenced after admitting drink driving and failing to stop after an accident – was rejected by the Crown. The case is scheduled to continue on 7 April.