A man has been jailed for carrying a knife in a Kilmarnock street.

James Montgomery, 37, whose address was listed as HMP Kilmarnock, pleaded guilty to the offence, which took place in the town's Dean Street on March 12. 

In a hearing at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Tuesday, July 16, the Fiscal Depute told how officers on patrol in an unmarked vehicle saw Montgomery staggering on the pavement at around 7pm. 

The officers thought he was under the influence of drink or drugs, and also saw him place something into the waistband of his trousers.

They followed him into a nearby shop where he was purchasing Buckfast. Montgomery was initially hostile and was led outside, where he was searched and a large kitchen knife found. 

He was arrested and taken to Kilmarnock Police Station.

Montgomery's solicitor told the court that he accepted that he had the knife in his possession, and that he knew a custodial sentence was inevitable.

Sheriff Murdoch McTaggart sentenced Montgomery to 12 months in prison, backdated to March 13.