A MAN has been sentenced for carrying an offensive weapon after officers allegedly found a "zombie knife" in his car.

Aaron Patching, 22, of Hemingway Road, Witham, was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for two years, at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday, February 8.

Police stopped his car in London Road, Stanway, Colchester, at about midnight on November 4 when they spotted steam coming from it.

When they approached the car officers discovered it smelt of cannabis but didn't find any drugs during the search.

Instead the knife was found.

As well as the suspended sentence, Patching was also given a rehabilitation requirement and ordered to pay victim costs of £115.00.

The knife will be destroyed.