Zombie knife charge 'one of first under new law'

New legislation aimed at tackling zombie knifes and machetes came into effect on Tuesday

A man charged with possession of a zombie knife has become one of the first people to be held under new laws, police said.

Kofie John-Welch, of Druce Way, Oxford, was charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a private place after a search of his home on Tuesday.

Thames Valley Police said the charge was one of the country's first under new legislation in England and Wales which closes a legal loophole and makes it an imprisonable offence to own, make, transport or sell a wide range of what are called “statement” knives.

Mr John-Welch has also been charged with threatening a person with a bladed article, affray, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage.

The charges relate to an incident on 29 August, the force said.

Zombie-style knives and machetes are defined as weapons with blades over eight inches (20cm) in length, normally with a serrated cutting edge.

New laws covering the weapons came into force at midnight on Tuesday.

Police said Mr John-Welch remained in custody and would appear at Oxford Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.