In addition to having to spend four months of his life behind bars, Bray is also legally… Forced to pay victims surcharge of £154 (approximately $200).”“We have a zero tolerance for bladed items in public, and Bray has fallen right into that trap. It’s possible to find fidget toys that don’t have six-inch blades. It’s possible to not walk down the street holding them in front of you,” said Sgt. Spellman of the Patrol Investigations Unit.
Despite the comical tone of this story, it seems that the suspect’s criminal record was largely responsible for him receiving a real prison sentence. As Forbes reported, Anthony Bray was not just an innocent Zelda fan, but a repeat offender who had already spent four years in prison for a series of robberies and had had numerous run-ins with the law in the 1990s. Whether the arresting officers were aware of this fact when they stopped him for carrying a toy knife is a matter of debate, but it’s highly likely that Bray’s shady past influenced the court to hand down an actual jail sentence rather than just a small fine and a stern warning.
Read Warwickshire Police statement here and don’t forget to join our 80 Level Talent platform and our Telegram channel, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok and Reddit where we share breakdowns, the latest news, amazing artwork and more.
