A MAN who flouted a community payback order after being caught with an offensive weapon has been handed a reprieve.

Michael Dorrian, 27, was spared a prison term and allowed a final chance to complete his unpaid work punishment — with additional hours added to it.

Dorrian, of Muirdykes Avenue, Port Glasgow, was found to have the garotte-style wire in his jacket pocket after police were called to a report of him lying asleep in the middle of the road.

Greenock Sheriff Court heard that he had 84 hours outstanding on the original order and Sheriff Derek Hamilton has now increased that to 120 hours as a result of the breach.

Dorrian's lawyer, Gerry Keenan, told the court that his client has mental health problems and had 'learned his lesson' from a period of being remanded in custody on the matter.

Prosecutor Saud Ul Hassan stated previously that Dorrian was found asleep on the road outside his home at nearly midnight on a July night in 2016.

The fiscal depute said: "He was woken and brought to his feet. His eyes were glazed, his speech slurred and he was unsteady.

"He was searched and a garrotte-style wire with a metal ring on each side was recovered from the right hand pocket of his jacket.

"The accused stated, 'It's an offensive weapon, I know I shouldn't have it'."

Sheriff Hamilton told Dorrian: "It might be considered that, because of the nature of the weapon, you were fortunate not to receive a custodial sentence of 12 months.

"I am prepared to take into account the difficulties you have had but this will be your final chance.

"If you don't do the work this time then you are looking at a year in custody."

Dorrian has been told that he must complete the 120 hours within 12 months.