A KNIFEMAN and convicted two-time bomb hoaxer is back behind bars for brandishing a blade at a kissing couple in a Greenock street.

Patrick Lyon took a cocktail of pills and booze before menacingly tapping the windscreen of their car as they said their goodbyes to each other.

Lyon, 38 — who had previously tried to befriend the woman — was out on licence from a prison sentence when he committed the terrifying offence.

His lawyer, Aidan Gallagher, told the town's sheriff court: "He looked out of his window and saw the couple kissing.

"In his drunken state and clouded view he considered that their behaviour was inappropriate.

"His mind has been skewed by the amount of drink he had."

The court heard how he swore in telling the man and woman to go, but then turned and walked away after recognising the female as his neighbour.

Prosecutor Frank Clarke said: "The young lady acknowledged him by nodding in his direction, and that seemed to have the desired effect on the accused and he left.

"Police were directed to a local hostelry where the accused was detained.

"When cautioned and charged he said, 'As long as I didn't hurt anyone'."

The court heard how Lyon — who armed himself with a seven-inch kitchen knife — had previously incurred the wrath of the woman's family and friends by offering her 'certain advice'.

Mr Gallagher said: "He also tells me that there were certain stresses accumulating, including financial ones, due to a delay in universal credit and his benefits effectively being halved.

"He bought a carry out and drank to excess."

The solicitor told a previous calling of the case: "He is in receipt of medication to deal with his difficulties, but it should not be mixed with alcohol."

The Telegraph told previously how Lyon, of Wellpark Buildings, Regent Street, had been locked up for shouting 'You're dead!' at his 65-year-old mother before kicking her.

He has also received jail terms for sparking bomb scares at polling stations in Greenock during a by-election and the Scottish independence referendum.

Sheriff Derek Hamilton said: "You were out of custody for two months when you committed this latest offence.

"You have a previous weapon conviction and here you are out in the street with a knife, whilst on licence from prison.

"There is no alternative to a custodial sentence."

Lyon — who committed the blade offence on September 22 — was returned to prison for the remaining 124 days of his previous sentence and given a further four months.