A man caught in the street with a knife claimed he used it in his job at a Wishaw charity shop.
John Cochrane appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitted illegal possession of a blade in Watson Street, Motherwell, on April 4.
His not guilty pleas to charges of assaulting a man twice and warning him not to give evidence in court were accepted after key witnesses failed to turn up.
It had been alleged that Cochrane, 39, of Shields Tower, Motherwell, punched David Garner repeatedly on the head at an address in Watson Street.
The alleged victim was said to have been knocked to the ground before Cochrane grabbed him and applied pressure to this throat, causing him breathing problems.
Further charges stated that he breached bail by trying to punch both David Garner and James Garner in Hill Street, Wishaw, on June 4.
It was claimed he then threatened David Garner about giving evidence in a bid to pervert the course of justice.
Neither of the Garners were present to give evidence.
The court heard that the small knife was recovered when police officers questioned Cochrane about the first alleged assault.
Defence agent Tom Watters said his client insisted the only reason he had it was to cut boxes when working at a charity shop in Wishaw.
Sheriff Allan McKay deferred sentence on the accused until April 16 and ordered Cochrane to be of good behaviour.
