A MAN who was spotted holding a knife in a Springburn street dumped the weapon before police arrived.

Darren Miller, 30, appeared in the dock at Glasgow Sheriff Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to having the knife in his possession.

The offence happened in Springburn’s Carbisdale Street on June 4, this year.

The Procurator Fiscal depute Louise MacNeil told the court that police were called to the scene at around 10.15am.

The court heard that two members of the public contacted the police after seeing Miller walking on the street with the knife.

When police arrived, Miller had dumped the brown handled knife.

The officers discovered the knife nearby after a search of the area and arrested Miller.

Miller’s defence agent said that her client had been very clear that he had discarded the knife in the street.

Miller’s defence agent then told the court that her client’s report from social workers was very positive. She added that he had fully cooperated with them.

She explained that Miller had himself been the victim of a serious assault which he still bears the scar of, and he had been carrying the knife for protection.

She added that the psychology of carrying a knife for protection is “fundamentally flawed”.

She addressed sentencing Sheriff Diane McConnell to say: “You will recognise the serious nature of this offence.

“It is particular problem in Glasgow and it has been for many years.”

The court then heard that Miller was self employed and had been consistently in employment.

Sheriff McConnell addressed Miller before sentencing and said: “This is an extremely serious offence particularly because you admitted what lead to the commission of this offence.”

Miller, of Carron Crescent, Springburn, however, avoided jail.

He was instead placed on a Community Payback Order as an alternative to custody.

He was ordered to complete 130 hours of unpaid work in the community which was reduced from 180 hours because he plead guilty at the earliest opportunity, during the intermediate diet of his case.

He was told he must complete the work within nine months.

Miller was also placed under supervision for one year.