At Goulburn Local Court on January 27 Charles Clancy, 20, of Goulburn, was convicted of having custody of a knife in a public place.

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Solicitor Kel Clowry said the knife was discovered when Highway Patrol officers spoke to Clancy after he was seen pushing a motorbike on December 13, 2020.

"Highway Patrol was abrupt [to Clancy] and he was abrupt back - stupidly," Mr Clowry said.

"He knows he has to pick his game up, he needs to be very careful in the future."

He said his client needed the knife for casual work on a farm.

Mr Clowry told the court that Clancy was currently homeless and living in a tent. He said Clancy was looking for full time work.

Clancy told the court he was saving money to buy boots so he could take up a shearing job in Cootamundra.

Magistrate Geraldine Beattie took Clancy's guilty plea into account. The magistrate said she accepted Clancy needed the knife for farm work but it was not needed in town. She said the knife was attached to Clancy's belt with a clip.

"Keep the knife on you when you are working, not in town," she said.

"You are well known to police and have to do the right thing.

"I've said things to you many times before."

Magistrate Beattie urged Clancy to take up the shearing job.

Clancy was convicted and put on a six-month Community Corrections Order.