AN IRVINE man has been handed an extended jail term after cops caught him out in the street, in breach of his bail conditions.

Colin Evans pleaded guilty to one charge in relation to the breach, as well as a further charge of offensive weapon possession, when he appeared from custody at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Tuesday, October 22.

Both matter arose from an incident which took place on the 29-year-old's former home street of Warrix Avenue in Irvine.

On the night of August 24 this year - at around 11.20pm - police officers were called to the area in regard to another, unrelated, matter.

When they arrived on the street, they observed Evans walking his dog in the middle of the road. They also noted that he was holding a can of Tennent's lager and appeared to be unsteady on his feet.

As a result of this, they approached the 29-year-old who spoke to officers and admitted that he was subject to a bail order.

Part of his conditions of this were that Evans was to remain within his home address between 7pm-7am each day.

Due to this order breach, police detained the Irvine man - who was also searched as part of this process. Following this, a silver knuckle duster was recovered from him.

Evans was then taken to Saltcoats police station where he was cautioned and charged before appearing at court for the first time on August 26. He has been remanded in HMP Kilmarnock since that time.

Defending, solicitor Simon Brown told Sheriff Murdoch Mactaggart that Evans has since been sentenced in relation to other matters and was due to remain in prison until at least August of next year.

With regards to the incident in question, he added that the 29-year-old was a "man who has - for some time - had mental health issues".

He continued to say that these problems were not helped by his consumption of cocaine, which led to paranoia.

Mr Brown explained: "This is why he was carrying a weapon and felt he had to get away from his house."

The solicitor admitted that this was "no explanation for it at all" and that Evans was well aware that a custodial sentence was inevitable. 

He then asked the sheriff to take into account that the 29-year-old had a relatively short record and had submitted his plea at an early stage.

Mr Brown added: "He has also taken advantage of drug rehabilitation and mental health services in prison and presents himself in a much better condition today."

Sheriff Mactaggart commented: “There is no appropriate alternative disposal other than custody.”

Evans was then sentenced to spend a further six months in prison, which will run consecutive to his current term behind bars.