A Wishaw man who was caught with a knife in the street avoided a jail sentence at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.
Richard Swales, 39, of Caledonian Road, admitted possession of the blade in Glasgow Road, Wishaw, on November 13.
An allegation that he ran away from two police officers and resisted arrest was dropped.
Sheriff Ray Small said he “wasn’t particularly impressed” by an explanation put forward by Swales for having a blade in public.
But he added: “The fact is you have no record for this type of offence and there is a direct alternative to custody available.”
Swales will be electronically tagged for four months which means he’s confined to the house between 7pm and 7am each day.
He also admitted causing a disturbance at another house in Caledonian Road while on bail on August 6 this year.
Swales tried to gain entry to the house, shouted abuse and damaged a window by throwing a plant pot at it.
Sheriff Small ordered him to do 65 hours of unpaid community work within three months for that.
Swales said: “Thanks very much, your honour”, as he left the dock.
