A drunk thug who was caught with a large knife in his waistband has narrowly avoided jail time.
Sean White called down a stranger who was walking his dog in Gallowhill and told him he was in danger.
The 28-year-old then showed the stranger – Mr Chalk – that he had a knife in his trousers.
Both men walked into Paisley town centre and Mr Chalk was able to point White out to cops who were in the area.
White, of Overtoun Road, Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, went on to tell cops he had the knife because he was “protecting himself”.
Procurator fiscal depute, Michael Cunningham told Paisley Sheriff Court: “About 12.30pm on March 11, Mr Chalk was walking his dog in the Gallowhill area.
“At this time, the accused shouted for his attention and told Mr Chalk that he’d been involved in an altercation and believed he was in danger.
“White then said, ‘that’s why I’ve got this,’ and lifted up his shirt and showed a knife tucked into his waistband.
“Chalk then walked with White due to the accused feeling he was in danger. Chalk was under the impression White was going to attend the police station and they both walked into Paisley town centre.
"At this time, police officers in County Square on patrol were approached by Chalk and told officers he saw White in possession of a knife and that he had gone to the front of the taxi queue.”
The court heard officers spoke to White in the taxi rank where he “appeared nervous and intoxicated” – smelling of alcohol.
Mr Cunningham added: “PC Anderson asked White if he had anything sharp in his possession and he freely stated, ‘Aye, I’ve got a knife.’
“PC Anderson informed White he was being detained for a search and he was placed in handcuffs. PC Anderson conducted the search and recovered within White’s trouser waistband a black-handled kitchen knife.
“At 1.40pm at County Square, White was arrested and cautioned to which he replied, ‘I’m very sorry, I was protecting myself.’
“White was placed in the rear of a police vehicle and taken to Greenock police station where he was held in custody to appear in this court on March 13.”
Defence agent Mr Lafferty told the court White’s life had “deteriorated” when his brother was released from prison.
Mr Lafferty added: “There is a connection here between the two. Mr White’s lifestyle became characterised by alcohol and drug misuse.
“There was an altercation and a reference to other parties coming to do him harm. He left the friend’s house he was in with the knife but had no intention of causing harm to anyone.”
Sheriff Anderson said: “You know standing here in the cold light of day these circumstances are very serious.
“Seems on the day you weren’t a threat to the public although completely misguided by wandering through the streets with a knife.
“An offence that could normally result in a custodial sentence. I could send you to prison but I’m not going to.”
White was ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work in the community and placed under supervision for 16 months.
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