A MAN who has racked up multiple weapons convictions could be spared prison over his latest crime spree of five offences committed in a single DAY.

Robert Clarke — a man described by his own sister as 'an absolute psychopath' — is being assessed for a possible drug treatment and testing order.

The move towards a community-based sentence comes after Clarke admitted stealing bank cards and cash from an unlocked car on Greenock's Inverkip Road.

He tried to use the stolen cards at the News4U shop on Kilblain Street to fraudulently obtain £33 worth of goods.

Clarke, 40, was also found within the gardens of two properties on Inverkip Road and one in Finbraken Drive, Gourock, without lawful authority so it could be reasonably inferred he intended to commit theft.

He and co-accused Joseph Wood, 46 — both of no fixed abode — committed a string of offences on May 31.

The Telegraph told in January last year how Clarke was locked up after going hunting for people to attack in Port Glasgow whilst armed with a kitchen knife.

He had turned up at his mother's house on Broadfield Avenue with his face soaked in blood after being attacked and he grabbed the blade, threatening to 'do' the people responsible.

Prosecutor Lindy Scaife said of the case at the time: "His sister told officers that the accused had a knife and was going to stab someone, and that he was an 'absolute psycho'."

Clarke has six other previous convictions involving weapons.

His lawyer, Bob Mitchell, told Greenock Sheriff Court: "He is very keen to get the chance to address a longstanding drug problem."

Sheriff Andrew McIntyre said that tackling Clarke's substance abuse would be the 'best way' to deal with the current case against him.

The sheriff told him: "This would require a drug treatment and testing order (DTTO) and you need to be at liberty for that.

"It is clearly in the public interest to have your drug problem addressed.

"It has been a long time since you have had any intervention in the community."

Clarke was warned that if he doesn't comply with the DTTO assessment then he faces prison.

He was granted bail to his mother's home on condition he signs on at Greenock police office every day.

Sentence on Clarke and co-accused Wood has been deferred until August 26.

The pair were originally facing a total of 15 charges but the Crown accepted not guilty pleas to various allegations.