A MAN was caught in a public park with a flick knife and three bags of ecstasy.

Connor Smillie, 20, told police he had the blade on him because he felt his life was “under threat”.

Officers on routine patrol had spotted him putting something down the front of his trousers in Clydebank’s Dalmuir Park at around 11.40pm on July 21.

They discovered the blade on him, and took him to the town’s police office where he was found to have three bags of the Class A drug worth £80.

Prosecutor Kara Watt said: “Officers on mobile patrol were in Dalmuir Park and saw the accused put something down his trousers. He was detained and searched and a black handled knife was recovered. He told police he took it for his own protection and claimed there was a boy after him.

“He was taken to Clydebank police office where a further search took place and police found three bags of ecstasy on him. He made no reply.”

Defence lawyer Lauren Kerr said: “He made a foolish decision. He felt his life was under threat.”

Sheriff John Hamilton said: “Knives and drugs are the scourge on our society.”

Jobless Smillie, of Mountblow House, was put on a community payback order, with 12 months of social work supervision. He was also ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.