A Hamilton man found with a blade claimed he was using it only to scrape paint off walls.
It was discovered by police officers who searched Thomas McKechnie after his arrest on another matter.
McKechnie, 25, of Deans Crescent, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week. He admitted illegal possession of a Stanley knife blade on November 23 last year.
His not guilty plea to a charge of threatening or abusive behaviour outside his home was accepted.
Scott King, prosecuting, said only the blade of the knife was found. It was in the pocket of McKechnie’s hooded top.
Defence agent Alan Murray stressed there was nothing sinister behind his client’s possession of the blade.
He said McKechnie’s mum had called the police because of his behaviour when he arrived home after a night out.
Mr Murray explained: “He had been clubbing and a female who drove him home described him as being out of his face.
“He was told by his mum that, due to his condition and behaviour, she was phoning the police.
“He hadn’t been wearing the hoodie, but put it on and waited outside for the police to arrive.
“Unfortunately, he forgot that he had been helping his stepfather with painting and decorating. He had been using this blade to scrape paint and it was still in his pocket.
“He knows that is not an excuse but it explains why he had the blade. He wasn’t wandering about the streets or a club with it.
“He simply had it for a few moments when he was outside his house waiting for the police.”
Mr Murray said that, apart from this incident, McKechnie has stayed out of trouble since serving a prison sentence in 2016.
Sheriff Marie Smart deferred sentence until September 19 for background reports and continued bail.
