A GLASGOW man said he carried a metal shank "due to threats from youths".

James Alcock, 59, appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court this week after he previously pleaded guilty to carrying an offensive weapon.

The Barmulloch man was approached by plain-clothed officers on September 21, 2022.

Police asked him if he was in possession of anything sharp, to which he replied that he had a weapon concealed in his waistband.

The item was found to be a metal shank, with a blade measured at 10 cm long, which is roughly four inches.

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Alcock's lawyer said: "He is a 59-year-old man who should know better.

"There are other avenues he could have taken. He has been out of trouble. His remorse to the social worker seems to be genuine.

"He cares for his mother, who is effectively housebound. She is 93."

He explained that Alcock could not do unpaid work due to his health issues.

Sheriff Bernard Ablett told Alcock: "I will take into account that you have no previous convictions. You have also expressed shame and embarrassment. I also have seen the need for you to take care of your mother.

"The difficulty in this case is your explanation for having the item. You deliberately armed yourself with the shank.

"This was due to threats coming from particular youths. You took the metal shank out in the public arena.

"Even if you didn’t intend to use it, if you were confronted by the youths, you could have lost possession of it and they could have used it against you or another member of the public."

Alcock was tagged for 72 days and ordered to stay in his home between 9pm and 6.30am and was placed under supervision for six months.