A man detained on a knife charge apologised to police for his behaviour then asked cheekily 'can I get out tonight?'.
Matthew McCreadie was spotted on CCTV removing the blade from his waistband after another man had produced a baseball bat.
McCreadie, 22, appeared from custody at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.
He admitted unlawful possession of a knife in Watson Street, Motherwell, on April 22 last year.
An allegation of threatening or abusive behaviour was dropped.
Claire Connachan, prosecuting, said the incident happened in a communal garden about 9pm.
Grant O'Connor, who lived in the vicinity, had a baseball bat and began arguing with McCreadie.
The fiscal stated: "McCreadie reached inside the waistband of his shorts and pulled out a knife.
"This was observed by a North Lanarkshire Council CCTV operator and the police were contacted.
"Officers arrived and found the accused still in the area.
"He was charged and replied 'There is no excuse for my behaviour. Can I get out tonight?' "
McCreadie was, indeed, released by the police to attend court later.
But he was back in custody in June after he was caught carrying a screwdriver.
He claimed that was for protection after an assault left him needing more than 100 stitches.
McCreadie was jailed for nine months on the screwdriver charge and is currently in prison on another matter.
He was fined £200 for possessing the knife, but since he is in custody the fine will be written off.
At an earlier hearing O'Connor, 36, was fined £175 for possession of the baseball bat.
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