A BALLINGRY man who has done only one hour of his unpaid work after being caught carrying a knife has been warned he is facing a jail sentence.

Alexander Aitken, 25, of Kirktoun Park, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court after breaching his community payback order for a second time.

Aitken had been ordered to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work and this was increased to 70 hours after the first breach.

On June 30, 2016, at Martin Crescent, Ballingry, he was found to be in possession of a knife.

Defence solicitor Sarah Meehan said: “He is of the view that he is unfit for unpaid work but he accepts he has not been in touch with the social work department.

“When I explained the very serious position he’s put himself in, he broke down in tears.

“Regarding the original offence, a knife was in his pocket after he had been carrying out work in his house and he forgot it was there.”

Sheriff Pino di Emidio said: “He seems to have told a social worker he would rather go to prison and there’s nothing before me to suggest he’s unfit for work.”

He told Aitken: “You’ve done only one hour in almost two years for what is a very serious offence. There’s a very live possibility you may be imprisoned for this breach.”

Sentence was deferred for reports until May 2.