A Hamilton man who told police he had every right to carry a knife has avoided jail.
Officers found a blade when they searched Francis McWhinnie for drugs.
The 47-year-old, formerly of Argyle Drive, admitted having an offensive weapon in the town’s Glasgow Road on December 18, when he appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court last week.
He also admitted breaching bail conditions by returning to the area on July 2.
Paula Russell, prosecuting, said officers offered to help McWhinnie while out on patrol in Burnbank.
She said: “He was unsteady on his feet, his speech was slurred and he smelled strongly of cannabis. Officers found a knife in his pocket and he said: ‘That’s OK. I carry that for my own protection’.”
Defence agent Diarmid Bruce said McWhinnie, now of Crofthead Street, Uddingston, had been abusing alcohol and drugs, but since moving away from Hamilton is doing better.
Sheriff Thomas Millar put him under supervision for a year after social workers said this would “help his rehabilitation”. He is also confined to his home at night for three months on an electronic tagging order.
