A MAN has been fined after he brandished a hammer in an argument.

John McSporran, of Ferguson Street Ayr, admitted to having the offensive weapon outside his address on June 17 this year.

The 22-year-old appeared before Sheriff Mhari MacTaggart at Ayr Sheriff Court last week.

Depute Fiscal, Jason Bell, explained: “There was a disagreement with the accused and another male.

"The accused noted the male with something behind his back – he then went to his car and pulled out a hammer and held it towards the male. The police were contacted by an anonymous phone call.”

Defence solicitor Glenn Davis, said his client asked two gentlemen to leave his flat, when one of them made a remark that he had a knife.

Mr Davis said: “He became concerned and got the hammer from the car to deter him. From what I have been told, the two men were in fact arrested later on that night and were found to have a knife.”

A £300 fine was issued.