SUPPORTERS of a Clydebank man who carried an offensive weapon wept in court as he was spared jail.

Peter McKinlay appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on December 12 to hear his fate having pleaded guilty to being in possession of the knuckleduster on January 28 of this year in Montrose Street.

His defence agent Roddy Boag told the court his client was the subject of a community payback order already but had started to get his life back on track after an unfortunate couple of years.

Mr Boag explained the 41-year-old had been in employment until the collapse of his long term relationship caused him to “spiral” but he had since renewed his licence to work in the building trade.

Sheriff John Hamilton told McKinlay possessing the knuckleduster was “not acceptable”.

McKinlay, of Glennifer View, was sentenced to 240 hours unpaid work and to be under supervision for a period of 12 months.

Before leaving the dock, Sheriff Hamilton told him: “Take this opportunity.”