A man caused a scare when he was spotted with a knife outside a school nursery.
Shocked parents waiting to collect their children saw Barry Philips with a blade in his hand as he looked in a playroom window.
Police raced to the scene and Philips, of Glencairn Avenue, Craigneuk, was detained nearby.
The 42-year-old appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday.
He admitted unlawful possession of a knife outside Craigneuk Family Learning Centre and Nursery in November 2019.
An allegation that he acted in a threatening or abusive manner by striking windows with the knife was dropped.
Jennifer Cunningham, prosecuting, said up to 15 children had attended the nursery's morning session.
She stated: "Two witnesses were waiting to collect their children at lunchtime.
"They saw the accused approach one of the nursery windows holding what looked like a knife in his hand."
Philips looked in the window before turning away towards the main road.
Police officers were given a description of the knifeman and detained Philips a short distance away. They found the knife in his jacket pocket.
The fiscal added: "He was slurring his words and the officers took him to hospital for assessment before he was discharged into police custody."
Philips claimed he picked up the knife in the street near the nursery and had no intention of using it.
Defence agent Tom Watters said his client has mental health issues. He had been abusing alcohol and drugs after he was the victim of a serious knife assault.
The solicitor added: "He had a young relative who attended the nursery so he looked in the window and then walked away.
"But it's a serious matter that obviously caused concern to members of the public."
Sheriff Linda Nicolson deferred sentence until July but warned Philips that she is considering a jail sentence.
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