Haofang Yan fronts Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court for carrying knuckle dusters in luggage

A student doing his masters at Melbourne University didn’t have his thinking cap on when he tried to bring a pair of knuckle dusters through Melbourne Airport.

A University of Melbourne student who got caught with knuckle dusters at the airport has been told it is his responsibility to know what he can and cannot bring back to Australia.

Haofang Yan, 23, fronted Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited weapon.

In May last year Yan, who is a master’s student at the University of Melbourne, was returning back to Australia after travelling overseas when security at the Melbourne airport found a knuckle duster in his luggage.

The court heard Yan had no exemption or approval for the knuckle duster.

Yan’s defence lawyer said his client had no priors and was unaware he was carrying a prohibited item to Australia.

“He is 23 years of age … he thought it was OK to bring it in … he is doing a master’s in Melbourne uni and is supported by his parents,” he said.

Magistrate David Langton said it was the traveller’s responsibility to know what could be brought back into the country and it was no excuse.

“These are serious offences. It is very important to understand what you can bring into Australia,” he said.

“With the education you are undergoing, you appear to have a good future ahead of you

“I am going to adjourn the matter for September on a good behaviour order. If you breach the order, you will be back in court.”

Yan was put on a diversion plan and a good behaviour bond without conviction and ordered to forfeit the knuckle dusters.