Yob jailed after cops nab him with a knife

Blade fell out of trouser leg as cops prepared to search him

A lout has been caged after he was lined up for a police search and a blade fell out of his trouser leg in front of cops.

Shaun Gilmour, 41, watched as the Stanley knife tumbled out onto the pavement.

It is the third time the yob has been nabbed carrying a weapon.

Gilmour was jailed for 20 months after being caught with cutters during a hearing at Paisley Sheriff Court.

Prosecutor Frankie Morgan told how it tumbled out in front of cops.

He said: “Police became aware of a group of six males who appeared to be intoxicated and acting in a loud and boisterous manner and jostling with each other.

“At that time, there was no suggestion any crimes were being committed.

“However, police approached the group to ascertain what was going on.

“At that point, the police had reasonable grounds to detain the group and search them.

“All six males were lined up side-by-side.

“The accused immediately began to appear anxious and nervous and was fumbling with his waistband.

“Given the demeanour of the accused, he was searched first.

“Police felt a rectangular object underneath the clothing on his right trouser leg.

“This object became dislodged and fell within the trouser leg and out at the ankle onto the ground.

“It was at this point police observed a lockback Stanley knife.”

Gilmour was lifted after the gang was stopped in Lady Lane around 11.10pm on July 22.

He was bundled into a police car and repeatedly told police: “I don’t carry knives.”

The lout had been arrested just months earlier for carrying a blade in Houstoun Square, Johnstone.

He claimed it was so small he did not realise it was illegal.

Defence lawyer Ki r s t y McGeehan insisted it was not intended to be a weapon.

She said: “He had the implement with him to assist with shoplifting.”

Gilmour admitted carrying the knife in Paisley.

He also pled guilty to having the blade near the Iceland supermarket, in Johnstone, on March 13.

The thug has been in custody for the offences since last month.

Sheri f f Susan Si n c l a i r warned the only realistic disposal was a jail stretch. She said: “I do accept you are at a stage in life where you are looking to make changes.

“You have got a number of difficulties in your personal life.

“You have been trying to solve your problems with shoplifting.

“When you were stopped, I don’t think you were out to shoplift that night.

“You now have three convictions for carrying knives and that is very worrying in terms of public safety.”

Gilmour, formerly of Fulbar Street, Paisley, was listed as a prisoner at HMP Low Moss.