A GREENOCK grandfather is on a close shave with a possible jail sentence after buying stolen razors to sell on for a profit.

James Compston paid a thief pal £6 for the £13 pack of blades before plain clothed police stopped him in the Oak Mall.

Attention was drawn to Compston, 44, because he appeared to be under the influence of ‘some substance’, Greenock Sheriff Court heard.

Prosecutor Pamela Brady said: “He was detained for a search and in his right-hand jacket pocket razor blades were found.

“Security guards at the Mall took the view that the items had been stolen.

“The accused said that he had bought them from a ‘mate’ earlier for £6 and intended to sell them on for a profit.

“The razors had a retail value of £12.99.” Compston — who committed the offence on 10 November last year — admitted reset of the stolen items and had his not guilty plea to a breach of the peace charge accepted by the Crown.

Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher said: “It was clearly a thieves’ bargain where he intended to turn a small profit.

“He is perhaps at an age where he should know better.

“Mr Compston is now a grandfather.” Mr Gallagher added: “He recognises that he has a bad record but perhaps there is sufficient to defer sentence and allow him the benefit of the doubt over a short period.

“Mr Compston knows that if he doesn’t get his act together then he will be back in a place where he hasn’t been for some time.” Sheriff Ian Fleming deferred sentence for six months for Compston, of Blairmore Road, to be of good behaviour.

He told him: “If you behave you will be treated leniently but if not, then all options are open.”