A LOCHORE man concealed a knuckleduster in his sock and carried it around – including Queen Margaret Hospital – before telling police about it.

Thomas James Byrne (25) was only found with the weapon after he “voluntarily” disclosed the information to officers who attended his home after a call from his mum.

Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday his mother contacted police around 3.40am on 19th July last year, concerned that her son was feeling suicidal. Officers then attended Byrne’s home. Fiscal depute Ruaraidh Ferguson said, “He became agitated and stressed and intimated that he did feel suicidal and would self-harm if left on his own.” Byrne was taken to Dunfermline Police Station, but Mr Ferguson added, “Whilst being escorted to the police vehicle, he voluntarily told officers he had a knuckleduster concealed in his sock.” Byrne, of Lochleven Road, Lochore, admitted that on 19th July, at Queen Margaret Hospital, McGinlay Terrace, Lochore, and elsewhere, he had an offensive weapon with him, without excuse or lawful authority.

He also appeared on charges of breaching a community payback order. Solicitor Alexander Flett told the Court that Byrne “was terrified he would get into threats”, “extremely vulnerable in his own house” and “frightened” when he went to his mum’s.

Mr Flett added, “The charge is of significant concern to the Court but there are particular concerns about him.

“He is currently residing at his mother’s and she is assisting him and he is co-operating with his community payback order.” Sheriff Craig McSherry he would allow the community payback order to continue, but imposed a five-month restriction of liberty order on Byrne