A TEENAGER caught with a concealed knife within a hospital A&E department at 2.30am has begged a sheriff not to convict him — because he wants to become a paramedic.

Kieran McDermid wants lawman Daniel Kelly to grant him an absolute discharge over the offence to leave him free to pursue his career dream.

The 18-year-old had the blade tucked inside his trouser leg when he turned up drunk at Inverclyde Royal in the early hours complaining of a 'sore head'.

McDermid claims he had the knife for 'self harming' but Greenock Sheriff Court was told he had 'no explanation' for being in possession of it at the time it was found.

Prosecutor David Glancy said: "The accused presented himself at accident and emergency and said he had a sore head.

"He was drunk.

"He was put into a room to be assessed and staff attending to him lifted his trouser leg and there was a black-handled knife.

"Police were contacted and the accused had no explanation for having it.

"He was cautioned and charged and made no reply."

Defence lawyer Edel McGinty told the court that McDermid has mental health issues and receives treatment at the Langhill Unit.

Miss McGinty said: "An 18-year-old being found with a knife within a hospital would ordinarily attract a custodial sentence.

"At 15 he started with hopes of a career in the care industry and at 17 he was placed within a palliative unit which caused him to suffer mental health difficulties.

"His father also passed away and he struggled to cope.

"He is looking one day at becoming a paramedic."

Miss McGinty added: "He had mental health difficulties and he turned to drugs on occasion to cope, and when that didn't work he self harmed.

"A conviction could jeopardise his entire prospective career.

"It is accepted that the knife was there in relation to a self harm issue."

McDermid committed the knife offence on May 9 and later breached a night-time bail curfew by being found outwith his home with cuts to his wrists.

Fiscal depute Mr Glancy said: "The cuts were self inflicted."

Sheriff Daniel Kelly told McDermid: "These are serious matters.

"An absolute discharge is a highly unusual disposal, and it it not one I am prepared to consider today."

On the curfew breach the sheriff placed McDermid, of Caithness Road, under supervision for 12 months and ordered him to complete 60 hours of unpaid work.

Turning to the knife offence, Sheriff Kelly said he wanted to consider the matter further, but added: "An absolute discharge is unlikely."

The case is due to call again on February 5 next year.