A 35-year-old man was in an Inverkeithing street with a knife in the early hours of New Year's Day.

John Briggs was unable to explain the reason for his actions.

Briggs, now of Dorward Drive, Crail, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on January 1 at Kinnell Road, Inverkeithing, he was unlawfully in possession of an offensive weapon, namely a knife.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said that at 12.15am Briggs was seen by a member of the public holding a knife and police were called.

READ MORE: Man arrested after 'disturbance' amid heavy police presence

When officers arrived, he ran off and the knife was later found in a nearby garden.

Defence solicitor Stephen Morrison said: “There seems to be no particular reason for him being on the street with this weapon.

“He says he wasn’t having any difficulties with neighbours but his recollection is not particularly good. He knows this type of offence can lead to a prison sentence.”

However, Sheriff Garry Sutherland imposed a structured deferred sentence and Briggs will return to court on January 15.