Two Angus men who were arrested by plain clothes police while in possession of an array of weapons have avoided jail.
Police recovered a surgical steel “credit card” knife, knuckleduster and lock-knife from Colin Chalmers and Michael Smith during “a trip to the Spar” in Kirriemuir on April 30 last year.
The pair appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court and admitted possessing dangerous weapons on a summary complaint, which had been reduced from an indictment.
The court heard Chalmers did not realise he had a knuckleduster until police retrieved it from his pocket.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said: “At 9.40pm on April 13 2016 officers were on duty in plain clothes and in an unmarked car in Clova Road, Kirriemuir.
“Police witnesses observed both accused walking along the footpath, and they approached them in connection with another matter.
“Constable Shelman recovered from Chalmers a knuckleduster, from the left-hand pocket.”
After officers found a knife on Smith, both men were arrested and taken to police headquarters in Bell Street, Dundee, and Smith admitted during the journey he had another knife in his wallet.
Mr Drummond added: “It is in fact a credit card knife which acts similar to a lock knife and locks in place.”
For Chalmers, defence agent Brian Bell said: “He does accept the knuckleduster is an offensive weapon, and he should not have had it in the street.
“He seems to have had some degree of remorse.”
For Smith, Michael Boyd said his client had used the first knife in his job as a builder, and “freely admitted” he had the credit card knife when arrested.
Sheriff Alison McKay said: “I have no doubt that your solicitors will have told you the public cannot tolerate the carrying of offensive weapons.
“I accept there may be some other use for a lock knife.
“But a knuckleduster only has a use for inflicting injury.”
As an alternative to custody, both were sentenced to 225 hours of unpaid work over the next 18 months.
Smith, 24, Glamis Road admitted having a lock-knife and another blade, and Chalmers, 39, Prosen Road admitted having a knuckleduster on April 30 2016.
