AN IRVINE man has narrowly avoided jail after being found in possession of a knife.

James Mackintosh raised a few eyebrows at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court when a hearing was told he'd claimed to police that the he needed the blade to free his pet dog from a tree.

The procurator fiscal depute explained that on May 29, police had received an anonymous call about a person understood to be holding a meat cleaver in a public place, namely at Scotfresh on Dickson Way in Irvine.

Officers went to the scene and found Mackintosh, who was searched and the knife found.

At the scene, the 45-year-old replied that he had the weapon with him to "free his dog from a tree".

Calum Armour, defending, admitted this was "a rather rather bizarre reply to caution".

Mr Armour added that he had received a "more coherent version of events" later on, as Mackintosh was "clouded by alcohol" at first, having been at a public house prior to being found by police.

He said that Mackintosh's position was that he was on his way to return the knife, but had gone back out with this still in his possession with "no reason".

Mr Armour said Mackintosh had previously been remanded in custody in connection with the offence, and that his client was "grateful" for the time behind bars at it allowed him a chance to reflect and improve himself.

Mr Armour added: "He had a stable life until the breakdown of his relationship with his wife.

"He turned to alcohol due to his failure to cope. He was grateful to the previous sheriff for remanding him; he has gone on a full detox since.

"Now he is asking for an opportunity to make it up to the community by avoiding custody.

"He has had a very stark wake up call as a result of this matter."

Sheriff Alistair Watson put Mackintosh on a community payback order as a direct alternative to custody. 

He will be supervised by social workers for 18 months, and will also have to complete 130 hours of unpaid work by June 2025.