A KELTY man who caused a drunken disturbance in the street after arming himself with a knuckle duster came “periously close” to landing himself in jail.

In the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court was Jason Martin, 41, of Croftangry Road.

He admitted that on February 9, at Keltyhill Crescent, he shouted, swore, acted aggressively and made homophobic remarks and threats of violence.

He also admitted he was also unlawfully in possession of an offensive weapon, a knuckle duster.

Depute fiscal, Kavin Ryan-Hume, said that at 2am people were in a house in Keltyhill Crescent when they heard shouting from the street outside.

It was Martin who was shouting comments such as “I’ll break all your jaws” and “you pair of poofs”.

Police were called and when they apprehended Martin they found a knuckle duster in his pocket.

Defence solicitor, Ian Beatson, said his client had taken drugs and consumed alcohol. “He’s very embarrassed and appreciates it’s a nasty incident,” he added.

“Why would he have a knuckle duster in his possession?” asked Sheriff James MacDonald.

“He had been given it as a present, used it as a paperweight and then took it with him on this occasion,” said the solicitor. “He recognises he’s been stupid enough to put his liberty in jeopardy.”

Sheriff MacDonald imposed a community payback order with 12 months’ supervision and a six-month restriction of liberty order.

He warned Martin: “You’ve come perilously close today to going to prison.”