AN ALLOA man was in possession of a knife during a row with his mum.

John Lawrie, of Mill Street, appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court to be sentenced for the offence.

The 41-year-old admitted that on April 11 at Stripehead, Alloa, he shouted and swore whilst in possession of a knife.

Depute fiscal Sarah Smith said that at around 5.15pm Lawrie had entered his mum’s home apparently under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The mother was concerned about him and contacted a friend to come to the house.

When this person arrived, Lawrie was sitting on a sofa next his mother and holding a knife.

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He was shouting and swearing towards his mum and the police were contacted.

Sheriff Garry Sutherland imposed a community payback order with 18 months of supervision.

He warned Lawrie: “The only other option is prison. Social workers are very sceptical about whether you’ll be able to comply with this order but you know what the alternative is.”