Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard 39-year-old Dean Stevenson had been the victim of an assault during an earlier incident that had left him with a ‘feeling of paranoia’.

Depute fiscal Claire Martin told the court that Stevenson, who lives in East Princes Street, was spotted by police in the early evening of September 5 in nearby West Princes Street.

She said: “It was 6.25pm and officers were on patrol in an unmarked police car. They saw two people standing in a doorway of a shop, one of whom was the accused. They thought his behaviour was somewhat odd and that he had passed something to the other person.

“When the police officers approached he looked nervous and was searched. When they asked if he had anything sharp on him he said he had a knife in his trousers.

“They then recovered a silver kitchen knife from the waistband of his trousers.” The court heard that Stevenson, who entered a guilty plea to the charge when he appeared from custody three days after the incident, had been prescribed diazepam by his doctor which he had taken on the day of the offence.

Stevenson’s solicitor informed the court that his client was an educated man with a university degree in health and social care, but that he had a problem with alcohol.

The solicitor said in mitigation: “He appears before the court as a first offender and has never been in trouble before. At the time he had been struggling with an alcohol problem and been prescribed diazepam. He had been drinking the night before and was under the influence of the diazepam.

“Previously he had been involved in an incident which progressed into an assault on him and that left him with a feeling of paranoia.

“Mr Stevenson had absolutely no intention of using the knife in any form. He has taken responsibility for his actions and pled guilty at the earliest opportunity.” The court also heard from the defence agent that Stevenson was currently suspended from his community-based job but the position remained open pending the outcome of the court case.

Referring to a social work report available to the court, Sheriff Eric Brown said: “It is unusual for someone of your background to find themself in this position.

“You pled guilty to possession of an offensive weapon, whilst it is not suggested that there was any intention to use it.

“With regards to the fact you have no previous convictions and you are in full-time employment I’m prepared to deal with this by means of a non-custodial disposal, which I hope will mean you can continue your work.” The sheriff placed Stevenson on a community payback order with the condition that he complete 100 hours of unpaid work within the next six months. This was as a direct alternative to custody.