A soldier who claimed he accidentally took a knife used for cutting limes behind a bar with him to a popular nightclub has been handed a suspended sentence.

Liam Meeks, 26, admitted one charge of carrying a bladed article in a public place after being caught with a three-inch flick knife in his pocket at Atik, in High Street, Colchester.

Meeks, who is a member of the Royal Logistics Core based at Colchester’s Merville Barracks, said he had been using the knife to cut limes whilst working at a charity function at the military base the same evening.

Samantha Lowther, prosecuting, said: “On October 19, the defendant entered Atik nightclub.

“He walked through the metal detecting arch and it alerted a member of security staff who then asked him to empty his pockets and he produced a camouflage knife.

“The police were called and the defendant was arrested.

“He said he was using the knife to cut limes in the bar of the Garrison and forgot he had it on him.

“He said when he realised he had the knife, he handed it to security staff.”

The court was shown a letter from Meeks’ commanding officer, which confirmed he had in fact been working at the barracks’ bar on the night in question.

Daniel Setter, mitigating, said it was genuine mistake on the behalf of his client.

He added: “He made no attempt to avoid the security in the nightclub and he was quite happy to hand it over.

“It was not brandished and it was folded at the time – no fear or distress was caused.

“He was allowed immediately into the club and the police were subsequently called by the manager. The staff had no reason to believe he was planning to use the knife.”

Mr Setter said Meeks’ career would be ruined if he were to receive a custodial sentence.

He added: “He accepted full responsibility and he explained everything to the police without hesitation.”

Meeks has a clean military record, however was convicted of common assault in February, for which he received a fine.

Sentencing him to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months, Recorder Giles Eyre said: “I do not have to explain the dangers of people carrying weapons to you, particularly in somewhere like a nightclub where things can get out of hand.

“I am prepared to suspend the sentence and I do that bearing in mind the circumstances of you offence and your established career, which would be destroyed.

“The public has invested a lot in your career.”

Meeks must also complete 95 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £320.