Sardam Mahamad, 20 and of Buttermere Road, was said to have been a target of county lines drug dealers who tried to recruit him.

He appeared at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court where he pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.

He admitted to carrying a lock knife with him on Howard Street North in Great Yarmouth on January 19 as he walked towards the town's police station.

Mahamad had been living in the town at the time.

Howard Street North in Great Yarmouth. (Image: Google Street View)

Ellen Connelly, prosecuting, said: "The defendant contacted police stating that an associate had made threats to hill him.

"The defendant was walking from his home address to Great Yarmouth Police Station to speak with officers.

"Around twenty minutes later the defendant arrived at the police station and was taken to an interview room. Upon entering the room the defendant handed over a lock knife.

Sardam Mahamad handed the lock knife in to police officers. (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

"The defendant explained that he had told the person who had threatened him that he had the knife on him for his own protection."

Mahamad was subsequently arrested by police for possessing the blade in a public place.

He admitted to carrying the lock knife and said that he had it on him for the entire journey as he walked from Albion Road to the police station.

Great Yarmouth Police Station. (Image: Google Street View)

Andrew Spence, mitigating, said: "It was not an associate, it was a would-be associate.

"Attempts have been made since December 2024 to recruit him into county lines drug dealing. To his credit he has steadfastly refused.

Attempts were made to recruit Mahamad into county lines drug dealing. (Image: Colin Davis on Unsplash)

"He received very serious threats on his own life. He called 999 but was told to get himself to the police station. He felt extremely vulnerable.

"There was no intention by him to use the knife in question. It was just to be used as a deterrent to anybody who might think of attacking."

Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court. (Image: Great Yarmouth Borough Council)

The probation service has been asked to compile a report prior to his sentencing.

He will be sentenced at Norwich Magistrates' Court on April 22.

He has been granted unconditional bail.

There was a Kurdish interpreter in court.

© Eastern Daily Press