A 23-year-old man from Totton has pleaded guilty to multiple offences relating to the possession and marketing by selling of an offensive weapon.

Stefan Petrescu, of High Street, Totton, entered the pleas when he appeared before Southampton Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday 4 September).

It follows an investigation into reports of the unlawful selling of knives and other prohibited weapons and firearms in the New Forest, via social media platform Instagram.

Petrescu admitted one count of marketing combat knife by selling and one count of possession of a weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid/gas/electrical incapacitation device.

He also pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

Petrescu has been remanded in custody to next appear at the same court for sentencing on Friday 25 October.