A knife offender caught carrying a blade on the streets of Greenock for a THIRD time has been jailed

Alistair Jannetts initially told police that the lockback device he had in his pocket was for cutting carpets.

However, the 36-year-old pleaded guilty on indictment to having the knife without reasonable excuse or lawful authority.

His lawyer, Derek Buchanan, told the town's sheriff court: "Mr Jannetts is well aware of the seriousness of the situation that he finds himself in.

"He has a substantial record and he accepts that."

Jannetts had the six-inch knife in a back pocket of his trousers when police stopped and searched him on a street in Larkfield.

The court heard how he had just stepped out of a house when suspicious plain clothes officers moved in on him.

Prosecutor Emma Jeffrey told a previous calling of the case: "He was asked if he had anything sharp and replied, 'Aye, I've got a carpet cutter'.

"A lockback knife was recovered.

"The accused stated, 'I just borrowed that from my mate up there'."

Solicitor Mr Buchanan told a sentencing hearing: "The background report is in as positive terms as one could expect in the circumstances.

"He was entirely co-operative with the police and produced the knife to them in a closed and locked position."

Mr Buchanan added: "Unfortunately, he started abusing drugs even before his teenage years.

"He had a very difficult upbringing and more recently there have been a number of personal difficulties, not least his partner dying of an overdose.

"There is a viable alternative to custody."

Sheriff Derek Hamilton ruled out a community-based punishment and sentenced Jannetts to 18 months behind bars.

The sheriff told him: "Knife crime is a serious issue in this area, and if you read the Greenock Telegraph you will see that this court takes knife crime extremely seriously.

"This is the third time that you have been convicted of having a knife.

"Although your previous convictions are of some age, you should have been on high alert not to have a knife with you.

"I consider that there is no alternative to a custodial sentence."