A KNIFE offender was caught committing his ELEVENTH blade crime near Greenock's Waterfront Leisure Centre — with a 20cm long kitchen carver tucked into his waistband.

Sean McGowan, 30, was spotted 'acting suspiciously' by staff at the complex, who immediately alerted police on seeing him walking towards the nearby cinema at Custom House Way, the sheriff court heard.

Prosecutor Raeesa Ahmed told the court how a duty manager was told of McGowan's presence outside the leisure centre during a meeting with colleagues at midday on October 25 last year.

Fiscal depute Miss Ahmed said: "Witnesses walked to the reception area and the accused was seen walking across the car park towards the cinema.

"Police were actioned to attend and an officer detained the accused for a search.

"A kitchen knife of 20 centimetres in length was recovered from the accused's waistband.

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

Defence lawyer Ellen Macdonald said: "The fact is that Mr McGowan has a number of analogous matters on his record.

"However, he is not a man who is prone to violence, with one assault matter in 2010 which did not involve a weapon and for which he was admonished.

"Mr McGowan himself has been the victim of knife crime.

"There was a diagnosis of schizophrenia and he is paranoid about something else happening to him when he leaves the house.

"He has spent a good deal of his life in custody for carrying knives and is well aware that he will receive a further custodial sentence."

Sheriff Michael Higgins deferred sentence on McGowan until March 29 for a background report regarding the rick he would pose to the public upon release.

The sheriff further remanded McGowan in custody.

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