A GIRVAN man was found with a knife sticking out the top of his sock at Ayr hospital.

Alan McLuckie of Saugh Hill Road admitted having the blade in his possession last February while he was being checked over by the nurses.

The 61-year-old appeared before Sheriff Mhari Mactaggart at Ayr Sheriff Court last week. The court heard how nursing staff were assessing McLuckie at 6am.

McLuckie had been brought in an ambulance after he was found on the street. 

Depute Fiscal Stephen McLean, said: “As nurses attempted to give him an ECG, they lifted up his trouser leg and saw a knife in his sock. 

“He said ‘it is not mine, I do not know how it got there’. Police were contacted and he said ‘I have never seen that before’. When asked how it got there, he said ‘I don’t know’.

“McLuckie was cautioned and charged and said ‘I have never carried a knife before.’”

Speaking on his behalf, defence solicitor, Steven Maxwell, said: “The report says he has had ongoing difficulties but he has had a troubling background. 

“Mr McLuckie remains of the position that he does not know how the knife got there. The instrument was down his sock with the bladed element sicking up. He requires some assistance and support.”

Sentence has been deferred until July to allow the court to obtain the appropriate reports.