A driver who had cannabis, a baton and a knuckle duster in his van has been jailed.

Steven Shevlin was stopped by police officers from the Specialist Enforcement Unit (SEU) carrying out proactive patrols near Arundel.

Shevlin had a fraudulent registration mark on his vehicle and was also found in possession of cannabis and offensive weapons in the form of a baton and a knuckle duster.

The 34-year-old appeared at Lewes Crown Court on May 16 for sentence.

Shevlin, formerly of Stoney Lane, Shoreham, did not declare the new vehicle he was driving, which was in breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order imposed upon him in 2020.

He admitted to this, as well as possession of cannabis, fraudulent use of a vehicle registration mark, failing to provide a specimen of blood for analysis when suspected of drug driving, possession of offensive weapons and driving without valid insurance.

Shevlin was sentenced to 50 weeks in prison for the offences and was given a further three-year driving disqualification.

The court was told how the SEU carried out patrols in Arundel on November 23 last year.

Shevlin was stopped while driving a Ford Transit van, he provided a positive roadside drug wipe test for cannabis but refused to provide a sample of blood when he was taken into custody.

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Steven Shevlin has been jailedSteven Shevlin has been jailed (Image: Sussex Police)

Ollie Pullen, an SEU Inspector, said: “Through regular proactive patrols we disrupt criminals using our road network, while also catching intoxicated or disqualified drivers to help keep people safe on our roads.

“In this case, we found Shevlin in a vehicle which he was required to register with the police, but had failed to do so.

“I’m pleased that our officers caught an offender who has tried to evade police and evade his responsibilities under the Sexual Harm Prevention Order to inform the police.

“The SEU regularly works alongside other teams within the force, in this case we worked alongside colleagues within Public Protection to act on intelligence relating to Shevlin breaching his order.

"It shows that our officers could be anywhere and we are determined to catch offenders to keep the public safe.”