A steward who was arrested for carrying a knife during the Commonwealth Games in Carnoustie has avoided a jail sentence.
Jordan Perkins arrived at Carnoustie Golf Hotel on July 21 for his first day as part of the security team for the shooting events at nearby Barry Buddon.
But police found a credit card-like blade in the 21-year-old’s bag when he submitted to compulsory screening at the front door.
Perkins, of Tredegar, South Wales, pleaded guilty on indictment to a charge of possessing a knife in the Links Parade hotel.
Perkins, who changed career path following the incident, was previously banned from entering Scotland and told he faced an indictment charge of “considerable seriousness” when he appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court.
Depute fiscal Joanne Smith said Perkins was previously employed in the security industry as a steward.
Following his arrest on July 21, he appeared on petition on July 22 and was released on bail.
During the games the Carnoustie Golf Hotel was occupied by Commonwealth Games staff and participants, all of whom had to submit to a search at the front door.
Ms Smith added: “The accused was there to start his first shift at 7pm and approached the security checkpoint. A police officer X-rayed his backpack and a credit-card sized knife was found.”
The folding blade length was 2.5 inches long.
Defending Perkins, solicitor Jennifer Strachan said a report from his local social work department had indicated the matter could be dealt with by way of a financial penalty.
Sheriff Gregor Murray said this was “utterly unrealistic”, however, given the involvement of a knife in the offence.
Sheriff Murray imposed a community payback order with 180 hours of unpaid work as a direct alternative to custody.
He said: “Ordinarily any plea of guilty to a crime such as this would attract a custodial sentence.
“However, you are young, a first offender and the knife in question was not in its usual form.
“You didn’t use it and had forgotten it was there in the first place.
“In those circumstances you can just avoid a custodial sentence,” the sheriff told Perkins.