A BLADE carrier has been allowed to remain at liberty — depite pleading guilty to a serious offence.

John Brodie, 38, was indicted on a charge of having a Stanley blade without reasonable excuse or lawful authority.

But a sheriff has decided to continue his bail for nearly a full month and ordered background reports before sentence is be passed.

Sheriff Rajni Swanney remarked that habitual drug abuser Brodie’s most recent prison term dates back 11 years to 2003.

Greenock Sheriff Court, pictured, heard that the accused was arrested after police suspected he had been involved in a street ‘drugs transaction’.

Procurator fiscal depute Pamela Brady told how officers on uniformed patrol had seen him standing on Pennyfern Road with three other males on the evening of 23 August last year.

Ms Brady said: “The accused had a yellow container in his hand and began walking along Pennyfern Road.

“The police suspected that a drugs transaction had taken place.

“They found a yellow Kinder egg capsule with a strong smell of cannabis coming from it.

“The officers also recovered a Stanley blade — and the accused told them that it was for cutting cannabis.” Defence lawyer Gerry Keenan said: “It has been Mr Brodie’s consistent position that he uses controlled drugs, particularly cannabis, but he is also on a methadone programme.” Sheriff Swanney deferred sentence on Brodie, of Mavis Road, Greenock, until 27 August and allowed him to remain on bail.