A MAN who raised a 12-inch machete in front of police officers in a Greenock close described 'seeing the fear' in their faces, the sheriff court has been told.

James Harkins pleaded guilty to a reduced indictment charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and presenting a blade to the PCs in Cathcart Street.

Harkins, 46, had originally been accused of acting with another man, Andrew Duffy, in shouting, swearing and repeatedly striking the front door of a flat on April 13, 2020, placing those inside in a state of fear and alarm.

It was claimed the pair turned up at the address with their faces masked, with Duffy allegedly being in possession of the offensive weapon and Harkins later struggling violently with the officers.

Harkins, of Crawford Street in Port Glasgow, appeared for sentencing at Greenock Sheriff Court after Duffy was cleared of the charges following not guilty pleas.

Defence solicitor Gerry Keenan told the hearing that there was 'no planning' involved with the incident, and Harkins had simply picked up the machete for a brief moment after seeing someone else throwing it in the hallway.

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Mr Keenan said: "It is something which very much happened spontaneously.

"He picked it up, he shouldn't have but he did.

"He describes seeing the fear in police officers' faces and realised almost immediately he shouldn't have been doing this."

The court was told Harkins is 'not fit for unpaid work' and spends a 'substantial part of his time caring for his parents'.

Mr Keenan added: "He pleads guilty to a very different offence to the one that was originally libelled on the indictment."

Sheriff James Varney said he accepted 'the mitigating circumstances and explanation', adding: "In my view custody would be an option here but the offence took place in 2020 and I am taking account of the responsibilities you have to your parents."

Sheriff Varney imposed a 27-week restriction of liberty order, meaning Harkins will be tagged and must remain at home between 8.30pm and 8.30am each day.