A HAWICK man jailed for 10 months for carrying a knife said he had the offensive weapon for his own protection.

Twenty-nine-year-old Craig Robson pleaded guilty to the offence which happened in Wilton Hill Terrace, Hawick, on April 21.

Alasdair Fay, prosecuting, told Jedburgh Sheriff Court said that at around 9pm on the Thursday evening, police officers on routine duties saw Robson and another man walking near the town's police station.

He said: "They were aware on information that Robson was carrying a knife. He was stopped and they searched him and a knife was recovered on the drawstring of his jogging trousers.

"He told officers he had it for his own protection."

Robson's lawyer said his client had been the victim of a serious assault a fortnight before.

He added: "He was stabbed and taken by helicopter to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary with stab wounds to the upper torso and neck."

Robson's 10 months jail sentence was back-dated to April 22 when he was first remanded in custody in connection with the matter.