A man in Britain has been imprisoned for four months and fined $196 for carrying a replica sword from the Legend of Zelda video game series in public. Anthony Bray, 48, was spotted by Warwickshire police on June 8 walking in the center of Nuneaton with the item in his hand. The sword, known as the Master Sword in the popular Nintendo games, had a total blade length of 6 inches.
Bray approached officers with the sword visible, leading to his arrest for possession of a bladed article. During police interviews, Bray claimed the Master Sword was a “fidget” toy he had purchased online to keep his hands busy. However, officers explained that despite its intended purpose, the sharply pointed item could be used as a weapon and might put others in fear of it being used against them.
Bray acknowledged that the sword could be perceived as threatening by others but insisted he had no intention of using it as a weapon.
British man jailed for replica sword
The replica was inside a sheath and could be released with the press of a button.
On June 28, Bray was sentenced to four months in prison and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £154 (approximately $195). Sergeant Fern Spellman of the Patrol Investigations Unit commented, “We take a zero-tolerance approach to bladed articles in public, and Bray has fallen afoul of this. It is possible to find fidget toys that aren’t six-inch blades. It is possible not to walk down the street holding them out in front of you.”
The incident highlights the strict laws surrounding knife possession in the United Kingdom. While Britain has one of the lowest gun homicide rates in the world, knife crime remains a significant issue, with over 50,000 offenses involving sharp instruments recorded by police in the year ending March 2023. The West Midlands region, which includes Nuneaton, has the highest knife crime rate in England and Wales.
This likely influenced the police’s firm stance on Bray’s case, emphasizing the importance of being cautious about carrying items perceived as weapons in public spaces.
Noah Nguyen is a multi-talented developer who brings a unique perspective to his craft. Initially a creative writing professor, he turned to Dev work for the ability to work remotely. He now lives in Seattle, spending time hiking and drinking craft beer with his fiancee.
