A REPEAT knife offender who was caught with a blade in Greenock town centre after being released from prison on licence told police he needed it 'for protection' because he 'hears voices'.

Arthur Rennie, 28, was approached and searched by plain clothed police who had spotted him standing in a doorway on Cathcart Street.

A black-handled knife was recovered from Rennie's right trouser pocket, and the blade was later measured and found to be three inches long.

Rennie - who is today back behind bars - committed his latest blade offence on February 28.

Procurator fiscal depute Kirstin Brierley told the sheriff court: "Two police witnesses were on plain clothes patrol in the Greenock area.

"At 12.55pm they were walking on Cathcart Street and saw the accused standing in a doorway looking up at the town hall.

"The officers noted a strong smell of cannabis and detained Rennie for a search under Misuse of Drugs Act legislation.

"The accused immediately stated 'I've got a knife on me, I need it for protection, I hear voices and I need it'."

Rennie was arrested and charged for having unlawful possession of the weapon in a public place without reasonable excuse.

Defence solicitor Ellen Macdonald said a psychological assessment was carried out to ascertain whether Rennie had a mental disorder absolving him of criminal responsibility for the offence, however, this potential defence was ruled out.

Mc Macdonald said: "The locus was his mother's address.

"His reply [to police] says it all in relation to where he was at.

"He immediately volunteers that he has a knife in his possession."

Sheriff James Varney told Rennie: "I don't need to say much more to you about the circumstances.

"You knew fine well you should not have had that weapon on you that day."

Rennie, who was locked up late last year for carrying a knife and lashing out at officers in Greenock police station, was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment, discounted from 28 months following his early guilty plea.