A MAN caught in the street with a knife told police he “thought it was a keyring”.

Albert Strachan has now been tagged for having the blade in his possession when he was on his way to pick up a methadone prescription.

Fiscal depute Graham Macdonald told Glasgow Sheriff Court that police were on mobile patrol when they spotted the accused hurriedly walking along Rye Road at around 10.20am on July 27 last year.

Strachan came to the officers’ attention due to his left hand being suspiciously clasped tight to his jacket.

When he was stopped and searched, a green-handled locking Stanley knife was recovered.

Strachan declared: “I thought it was a keyring.”

Strachan’s lawyer claimed that the 50-year-old was on his way to pick up a methadone prescription and accepted that he did not have a reasonable excuse for having the knife in a public place.

Although the accused was reported to have a criminal record, it was highlighted that there had been gaps in his offending over the last decade.

Sheriff Mary McCrory sentenced Strachan, of Torryburn Close, to a Restriction of Liberty Order in which he will have to remain at home between the hours of 7pm and 7am for eight weeks.