Published: Wednesday, 14th July, 2010 11:42am

Tillicoultry man had meat cleaver

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A TILLICOULTRY man caught carrying a meat cleaver in public has narrowly avoided a jail sentence at Alloa Sheriff Court.

On Thursday Gary Penman (34) was ordered to spend 18 months on probation, carry out 100 hours of community service and attend alcohol counselling after pleading guilty to having the item on the cycle path near the town's sewage works, by Chapelle Crescent.

Depute fiscal Jim Graham told the court that at around 8.30pm on 3 June a member of the public was walking his dog along the path when he noticed the accused who was unsteady on his feet.

As the dog walker got closer he saw Penman had a meat cleaver, of around eight to 10 inches in length and four inches in depth, in his possession.

The man called the police and when they attended they found Penman with his arm tight by side. The officers asked to see what he was concealing and Penamn showed them the meat clever.

Defence counsel, Alastair Burleigh, said Penman, whose address was given as c/o Stoneyacre, had been heading back to the house he had left.

He added, "He accepts it is a serious matter. There is a significant alcohol problem."

Sheriff David Mackie said, "This offence is one that certainly merits a custodial sentence but I don't think it would benefit you or the community."

In addition to probation, community service and counselling Penman was also ordered to attend the Constructs work programme.