A SEASONED Gwent criminal was caught trying to take a bag which included knives, £2,000 cash, a corkscrew and a set of darts into Cardiff Crown Court in case he was jailed.

Robert Jenkins, 55, was searched when he arrived in court when security guards discovered hidden in his bags were bundles of banknotes, a can opener, a corkscrew, pen knife and his darts.

He also had a Stanley knife, wooden-handled knives and forks and a wet stone for sharpening blades.

Jenkins also packed extra flights for the darts - to stave off boredom behind bars.

Jenkins was due to be sentenced for drug dealing when he arrived at Cardiff Crown Court and was searched by security officers.

Judge Stephen Hopkins QC said officers pulled a string of banned items from his bags before the scheduled hearing.

Judge Hopkins said: "I hear the defendant caused considerable concern with security.

"He had various items which he should not have had in his possession, in particular if he thought he was going to prison."

The judge said Jenkins had "a whole range of potential weapons" tucked inside bags that he'd brought with him.

He added: "He was found with a very large sum of money in the thousands inside one of his socks.

"In case he got bored a set of darts - with extra flights."

Marian Lewis, defending, said Jenkins had an 'appalling criminal record' and had suffered mental health problems in the past.

Jenkins, of Blaenavon, near Pontypool, South Wales, admitted supplying class B drugs and possession of a bladed article at an earlier hearing.

Sentence was adjourned until a later date so a psychiatric report can be made.

He was remanded in custody - without his darts which were confiscated with the rest of his kit.