A DUNFERMLINE man seen carrying a knife in Tesco told police he had found it in a playpark – and hadn't handed it in for fear of being nabbed for having it.

Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday that Nicholas John William Jones, 31, was spotted with the knife around 8pm at Tesco Duloch Park.

Fiscal depute Azrah Yousaf said two members of staff had seen Jones “acting suspiciously”. On approaching him, they saw the three-inch knife, then contacted police.

Officers came across Jones around 30 minutes later and saw him holding “what looked like a knife” in his hand and told him to drop it, which he did.

Jones, of 358 Linburn Road, admitted to charges that on July 23, 2014, at Tesco Duloch Park, and at Curlew Gardens, he had a lock knife without reasonable excuse or lawful authority. He committed the offences while on three bail orders.

Solicitor James Moncrieff said Jones had found the knife near a playpark, adding: “He had taken it into his possession and did not have it disposed of.

“He then saw police officers and did not hand it over to them for fear of being in possession.

“He came to the attention of shop staff because they had been suspicious he had been shoplifting.

“He has managed to stay free of drugs for some time and has managed to get his life sorted out.

“He says he's made a lot of bad choices. He has been monitored for a significant period of time and has dealt with his issues.”

Sheriff Christopher Shead warned Jones, “You are to be commended for complying with orders of the court and for making progress but the fact remains that these are serious matters and the court will often feel the need to impose a custodial sentence.”

He imposed a community payback order of 50 hours' unpaid work to be completed in six months.