AN IRVINE man caught with a knife in his car claimed to police that he only had the blade to help his escaped dog after it became entangled in fishing wire.

Brian Seaton was fined for the offence when he appeared in the dock at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week, having pleaded guilty to a pair of charges in relation to the incident.

The 49-year-old, whose lawyer said he was "not a man who ordinarily carries weapons", admitted to having unlawful possession of the blade, as well as a further charge of driving without possessing the proper licence for doing so.

The incident took place on July 14 last year when Seaton, of Etive Place, was travelling on the A71 and Annock Road in Irvine.

At around 2pm on the day, police officers had been tasked with carrying out mobile duties across the town as well as in Kilwinning, procurator fiscal depute Jaide Podlesny told the court.

During this time they carried out routine document checks and stopped Seaton's vehicle.

Officers asked for his driving licence, which he stated he did not have with him, so police requested he retrieve any identification that he had on him.

As the Irvine man left his car, police noticed that a "lock knife" fell from his person. As a result, he was subsequently arrested before being cautioned and charged.

Defending, solicitor Graeme Cunningham explained that Seaton had been phoned earlier in the day and was informed that his dog had escaped from his home.

The animal had been spotted around the beach park area of the town - so the pet owner left in his car to go to the location.

Mr Cunningham added: "He found the dog near the old Magnum area. It had been tangled in abandoned fishing wire – he had the knife to cut these lines away from the dog.

"This would usually be a reasonable excuse but he appreciates that you are not allowed to carry that sort of item around."

Before Sheriff George Jamieson passed sentence, the solicitor asked him to consider that Seaton only has one similar previous conviction - which dates back to 1996 - and is "not a man who ordinarily carries weapons".

Sheriff Jamieson said: "He does have a record but it is quite historical. He is not someone who is a regular before this court."

Seaton was ordered to pay a fine totalling £810, while five penalty points were imposed.