A SUPPORT worker who said the huge knife in the car he was driving was used to peel fruit has had a bid to overturn is jail term thrown out.

Admire Mpofu was jailed for four months in August at Colchester Magistrates’ Court after admitting possession of cannabis and a bladed article.

Police had stopped him as he was driving a Mini Cooper in Ipswich Road, Colchester, erratically.

They saw a small bag of cannabis worth £15 in a cup holder.

Then a large knife in a leather sheath was discovered in the glove compartment.

The 41-year-old said the drugs were a way of self medicating for his anxiety and that he used the knife as a screwdriver and to prepare fruit for his lunch.

Mpopfu, of Greenstead Road, Colchester, had launched an appeal over his sentence, saying his jail term should have been suspended.

But Judge Timothy Walker and two magistrates rejected it citing Mpofu’s nine previous convictions for a total of 12 offences.

“Given all we have heard and given the appellant’s list of previous convictions - including his failure to comply with community orders - and this was committed while subject to one, that the criteria to suspend have not been met,” he said.

“We impose the same sentence as given at the magistrates’ court.”

Shade Abiodun, representing Mpofu, had urged the panel to reconsider.

She said: “He made full admissions in interview and was totally compliant with police.

“He was working in supported living accommodation at the time.

“Following his arrest he decided to stop working given he did not know what the outcome of the investigation would be.

“He has a daughter, who lives with her mother, but he offers financial assistance to them both.

“Before he was sent to jail, he was living in rented accommodation.

“His sister is still paying the rent to ensure it is still available to him when he is released.

“At some point he is going to have to reimburse her.

“He had the cannabis to help with anxiety but accepts that it is illegal.”