A MAN who falsely reported to police that he and his boyfriend had been threatened by a homophobic knifeman is today facing the prospect of prison.

Alan Hastie, 23, told officers that a blade-brandishing man had confronted them at their home and stated: 'You're a couple of gays, drop the charges'.

The fictitious allegation led to the man being arrested and held in custody for a period of time while police resources were spent on investigating the lie.

Greenock Sheriff Court heard how CCTV footage eventually exonerated the man of any wrongdoing and proved that he was elsewhere at the time of the alleged incident.

Prosecutor Joanne Gilmour said: "The accused contacted the police and indicated that the man had approached them in the common close at their home with a black-handled knife.

"The man was subsequently arrested, however, enquiries revealed that he was in Glasgow at the time and this was proved by CCTV.

"The accused was later detained by police and he stated, 'I made it up, I don't know why. I was drunk at the time and scared of what he might do in the future'.

"When he was cautioned and charged he said, 'I accept it'."

First offender Hastie, of Poplar Street, committed the offence last November following a night out.

Fiscal depute Ms Gilmour confirmed that the other man had been arrested and held in police custody as a result of the spurious allegation.

Sheriff Andrew McIntyre told Hastie: "This is a very serious matter and you should be in no doubt about that.

"Prison is definitely the first consideration.

"You made a false report and as a result of that a person was held in custody."

The sheriff has deferred sentence until next Friday and ordered an electronic tagging assessment and a medical report as to Hastie's ability to carry out unpaid work.