A SERIAL offender who was caught 'flaunting' a knife outside his Helensburgh home has been jailed. 

Barry Hamilton was spotted on his neighbour's doorbell camera outside his home on Williamson Drive on December 4 last year.

A court hearing was told Hamilton only had the knife in a public place for less than a minute - but also that it was his 10th conviction for carrying a bladed weapon in public.

The 44-year-old appeared to have "something in the back of his clothing" in the footage.

Hamilton pleaded guilty to having a weapon in a public place without a lawful excuse when he appeared from custody at Dumbarton Sheriff Court.

The procurator fiscal depute said: "He returned a short time later, and outside his property he was seen flaunting a knife at somebody's front door before going back into his property.

"Police were called to attend and the neighbour's mother, who had access to the Ring doorbell, contacted the police a short time later."

The hearing was told Hamilton had nine previous convictions for being in possession of a knife or bladed item in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.

Defence solicitor Scott Adair said: "There was an incident happening out on the street involving his own son and other youths. By the time he got outside, that incident had broken up and dispersed.

"When he came back in, there was a shout in the street where he pulled his knife at the persons."

Mr Adair explained to Sheriff James Spy that the timestamp on the doorbell footage showed Hamilton had left his home with the knife at 6.45pm, and that he returned 30 seconds later.

He continued: "He appreciates fully that your Lordship is going to impose a custodial sentence on him.

"He has been out of trouble for around six years, and he was well aware that he was guilty of this offence. 

"I simply ask that you take into account that he pleaded guilty. He understands the position he put himself in."

Hamilton appeared in court the day after the offence and had been remanded in custody since then.

Sheriff Spy said: "Whilst it is true that you were out with the knife for a very short period of time, the fact of the matter is that this is the 10th conviction you have of carrying a knife or razor.

"I see no reason why I should not start at the maximum [custodial] sentence."

Hamilton was handed a 32-month jail term, backdated to December 5.