A 14-year-old boy took a bladed ring to school to protect himself from a gang of older lads were going to attack him.
The teen told teachers he had the fearsome-looking weapon, known as a tactical claw knife, because he had been in a fight and feared other boys were going to “jump” him.
A court heard he said: “I carry it around with me all the time. I have only had it for two days. I had a fight at school and now I have boys after me.
“If they jumped me I’m going to hurt them.”
The boy, a pupil at a school in Maidstone, Kent, admitted carrying the concealed knife when he appeared at youth court on Wednesday.
James Nichols, prosecuting, said the lad, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was seen passing an item to another pupil after finding out a search was going to be carried out on March 16.
He was given a three-month referral order and must pay £15. The knife will be destroyed.