A COWDENBEATH man caused public alarm when he was spotted in the street with a kitchen knife.

Thomas Keicher claimed he had the knife for his own protection because “people were after him”.

Keicher, 39, of Walker Street, appeared from custody at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on May 13, at Anderson Drive, Cowdenbeath, he was in possession of a knife.

He also admitted that when stopped by police, he was in possession of a controlled drug, diazepam.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said police received a call from a member of the public reporting there was a male seen with a knife.

When officers traced Keicher they found he had a kitchen knife with a six-inch blade in his jacket pocket.

“He said to police he had the knife for his own protection because he had been told people were after him,” added the depute.

Keicher also had 140 diazepam tablets in his possession when detained.

Sheriff Charles MacNair called for reports and bail was granted. Keicher will be sentenced on June 7.