Damion John Bofinger pleads guilty at Coffs Harbour court to carrying knife in public

It was a Crocodile Dundee moment when Coffs Harbour court heard a man was carrying a Swiss Army-style knife - which the magistrate considered to be anything but after seeing a picture of the blade.

West High St, Coffs Harbour. Picture: Google

The defence lawyer for Damion John Bofinger told Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday his client was carrying a multi-tool which included a knife when he was stopped by police.

Bofinger, 42, entered a guilty plea to custody of knife in public place - subsequent offence, but Magistrate Roger Prowse wanted to see a photo of the knife in question.

“The knife in no way resembles a Swiss Army knife,” Mr Prowse said on seeing the police evidence of a folding knife.

According to court documents, Bofinger and two other people - all known to police - were stopped by officers patrolling West High St at 4am on July 25.

Bofinger was “displaying signs of drug use as he appeared jumpy, on edge and overly compliant”, facts state.

Police advised they intended to search the three, whereupon Bofinger said he had a knife and an ice pipe.

At court on Wednesday, defence lawyer Alexander Leal Smith asked if his client might be considered for the Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment program.

This was agreed and Mr Prowse adjourned the case to September 13.