Brother Of Footballer Jermaine Defoe Caught With Knife And Drugs

The brother of Tottenham and England striker Jermaine Defoe - caught with a knife and cannabis when strip-searched by police - was fined £225 today.

Shane Defoe, 25, (pictured) of Higham Hill Road, Walthamstow, claims he began smoking the drug again to relieve stress after his late father was diagnosed with cancer.

He pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates' Court to possessing a knife blade or sharp pointed article, namely a lock knife, at Bishopsgate Police Station on April 22 and possessing cannabis on the same occasion.

His finances are a world away from the glamorous lifestyle of his striker brother, with the court ordering a £10 weekly deduction from his Employment and Support Allowance.

Prosecutor Miss Melanie Lee told the court: "It was in the early hours, 1.15am, when officers stopped a VW Golf in Bishopsgate, which contained four occupants and Mr. Defoe was a passenger.

"When the officers stopped the vehicle they conducted a search of the vehicle and its occupants and found a small bag of cannabis in the front footwell and the four gentlemen were detained.

"Nobody would say who the cannabis belonged to and they were all subjected to a strip-search in custody and a cannabis joint was found in his trouser pocket and a six inch lock knife was found in his shorts.

"During this search Mr. Defoe removed his jeans and underneath was wearing knee-length Nike shorts.

"At this point a lock knife made off metal fell to the floor and the officer immediately stepped on it and moved it towards the cell door.

"He was interviewed and made no comment to all questions regarding the circumstances of his arrest, the cannabis or the knife.

"He prepared a statement in which he said: 'I admit possession of the cannabis found on my person. I am sorry for this and know it is against the law'."

At Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in January last year Defoe received a small fine for possessing cannabis.

"In relation to the lock knife there is nothing similar on his record," added Miss Lee.

Defoe's lawyer Ms Maha Sardar told the court: "Mr. Defoe has pleaded guilty to both offences at his first available opportunity on his first appearance.

"As you heard it was a small amount of cannabis on his person for his personal use.

"After his previous conviction he put a stop to using cannabis, but after his father became ill he did occasionally smoke cannabis to alleviate the stress.

"Moments before the car was stopped a passenger gave him the bladed article to hold. It was not used to threaten anyone or cause fear.

"Mr. Defoe has shown extreme remorse for his actions.

"Given the recent passing of Mr. Defoe's father on the seventh of June a community order, with an unpaid work requirement, would not be appropriate.

"He is not employed and doesn't have any savings," added Ms Sardar, explaining Defoe's benefits restart on July 7 after they were cancelled when he failed to sign-on.

Magistrate Mr Spyro Elias told Defoe: "The bladed article is very, very serious. There are guidelines that it is a custodial sentence, first time or not."

Defoe was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge, but when asked for a contribution complained: "I literally have just come with my travel fare. I have ten pounds, but need five pounds to go home."

He was ordered to pay the £5 immediately and Mr. Elias added: "As and when your benefits do start you can inform the court to make the deduction.

"A collection order means if you do not pay your fine someone will knock on your door to recover the value of the fine. Don't ignore it."

The magistrate added: "We have read on the report that he has an extremely supportive family."