A KNIFE offender who smuggled a blade into the Greenock Sheriff Court building has been jailed.

Michelle O'Neill secreted the Stanley knife within her clothing but was caught during a security sweep.

Sheriff Derek Hamilton told a visibly stunned O'Neill that there was 'no alternative' to prison in the case.

The 39-year-old had been facing a two-year term but this was reduced to ten months due to her guilty plea and time spent previously on remand.

Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher had urged a community-based sentence after telling how his client had suffered a 'short relapse' into drug abuse.

Mr Gallagher said: "She is very keen to be given the opportunity of a drug treatment and testing order."

But the notion was quickly dismissed by Sheriff Hamilton, who highlighted the 'extreme seriousness' of the offence.

The sheriff told O'Neill: "Knife crime is almost endemic here, and if people carry knives they are highly likely to receive a custodial sentence.

"When knife crime comes within the precincts of the court it is treated extremely seriously.

"People are entitled to feel safe within the precincts of the court.

"In all of the circumstances there is no alternative other than to impose a custodial sentence."

O'Neill, of Cathcart Street, committed the offence on March 7.