A man with multiple convictions for carrying knives has been jailed

Patrick Duffy, 41, was caught by police with a Stanley blade in his pocket on Cumberland Road.

He was twice asked by officers if he had anything sharp prior to being searched shortly after 10.30am on January 3.

Prosecutor Emma Jeffrey told Greenock Sheriff Court: "The accused replied, 'No' and was asked to remove his hands from his pockets.

"He was searched and a Stanley blade was recovered.

"The accused stated, 'Sorry boss, I forgot I had that'.

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

The court heard that Duffy was stopped by the police on an unrelated matter prior to the blade being found.

He previously served jail sentences of 30 days each for two knife carrying offences in 2002 and 2003.

Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher said: "He had been using a Stanley knife the day before for legitimate purposes.

"He has moved the blade forward and part of the blade was in his pocket and at that time he had no reasonable excuse for having it and he accepts that."

Mr Gallagher said Duffy — who also has a conviction for assault — is a carer for a brother who suffered a major head injury in a car crash in 2005.

Sheriff Hamilton told Duffy, of Cumberland Road: "This blade may seem fairly innocuous to you, but it is not to me.

"Blades have the potential to inflict horrific injuries.

"Too many people round here carry knives.

"This offence is aggravated by two previous convictions for knives, although I do accept that these were a significant time ago."

Duffy, of Cumberland Road, was sentenced to nine months, backdated to January 4 when he was first remanded in custody.