A MAN who was spotted carrying an axe in his home town main street is facing jail.

Hutchison had told a fellow passenger on a bus that he " had a tool", Falkirk Sheriff Court heard today (Wednesday).

Depute fiscal Nicola Henderson told the court that when he got off the bus in Main Street, Tullibody, Hutchison (38) was seen carrying the weapon.

Police were alerted and Hutchison was seen to throw the axe into a garden.

Miss Henderson said that, when quizzed by police, Hutchison told them, "I didn't have one." But in court the father-of-two, of Ladywell Drive, Tullibody, pleaded guilty on indictment to having an axe in a public place on April 18 last year.

A defence lawyer told the court, "His position is that he was going to take it home to use it." She stressed that he did not conceal it in any way.

Sheriff William Gallacher told Hutchison, "This is a very serious matter.

"You are a man who has used violence in the past and used weapons." He said Hutchison's lengthy criminal record was a "depressing sight." He remanded Hutchison in custody until January 30 for background reports.

And he warned him: "You can expect a custodial sentence."