AN IRVINE man will have to wait to find out his sentence after admitting he had been caught with an offensive weapon.

Derek Ferguson, 34, was caught with the weapon - namely a golf club - in the Oaklands Avenue area of the town.

Following Ferguson's guilty plea, Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard how police had been called to a "large disturbance" involving around six men on nearby Caldon Road on July 11. 

One man was said to have been brandishing a golf club at others during the course of the incident.

When police arrived at the scene they arrested Ferguson, who was later cautioned and charged.

Ferguson was taken to Saltcoats police station, where, the court heard, he asked officers: "When can I get my golf club back?"

The court was also told that Ferguson complained to police: "They get to come at me and I’m the one getting the jail."

Ferguson, who appeared in court without legal representation, was asked how he had got himself into the situation, and replied simply: "Drunk."

He then added that he had only got involved in the disturbance because a "guy grabbed my Mrs and flung her out on the road".

Ferguson, of Seaton Terrace in Irvine, also claimed that the golf club - which he had called his own during his police interview - didn't actually belong to him, and was that of the man he challenged.

"The guy had the golf club and a sword," he claimed.

Ferguson also described himself as being unemployed, adding: "I'm on the sick."

Sheriff Colin Bissett deferred sentence for background reports and to explore other sentencing options, "since you are unable to work."

Ferguson will now return to court at a later date.