Anthony Bray, a man in Nuneaton in Warwickshire, England was arrested for a reason that may catch people by surprise, especially the video game community. Bray was arrested for carrying six-inch replica of the Master Sword from The Legend of Zelda series. He was arrested and sentenced to four months with a £154 (or about $195) fine.
The official police report of the incident reads:
“On 8 June 2024, officers were made aware through CCTV operators of a man – Anthony Bray – walking down Queens Road, Nuneaton with something in his hand.
Bray approached officers with the item in his hand visible, at which point he was arrested as he was carrying a bladed article.
Bray claimed that the sword was a “fidget” – something to keep his hands busy. He had bought it online as a fidget toy.
Officers tried to explain to Bray that, despite its intended purpose, it was in fact a sharply pointed item which could be used as a weapon and might put others in fear of it being used against them.
He was also carrying it openly in Nuneaton town centre.
Despite admitting that it could be perceived as threatening if someone else saw it, Bray insisted during his interview that he would not have used it as a weapon.”
Bray was sentenced at Leamington Spa Magistrates Court of June 28, 2024.
This is not the only time Bray has been arrested. He has a long rap sheet to his name with numerous prison sentences, several of which were for burglary, including serial burglary. Bray’s run-ins with the law goes back to 1989. He was in court numerous times throughout the 90s as well. In 2011, Bray was convicted and sentenced to four years in prison after getting “three strikes” for burgling residences.
The UK is very strict as it is illegal to carry most knives or any weapons in public without good reason, with the main exception being folding pocket knives with blades no longer than 3 inches.
The area of Warwickshire is unfortunately known for its knife violence in the UK. Knife violence is higher here than in any other region, higher even than in London. There were 5,234 knife offenses in the region in 2023 alone including a number of murders.
Sgt Spellman of the Patrol Investigations Unit said “We take a zero tolerance to bladed articles in public, and Bray has fallen afoul of this.
It is possible to find fidget toys that aren’t six-inch blades. It is possible not to walk down the street holding them out in front of you.
With a bit more self-awareness, Bray could have avoided contact with us completely.”