Man found carrying knife in Inverness bar claimed he was unaware it was in his possession

A man found carrying a knife in an Inverness bar shortly after his 18th birthday claimed not to have known how he came to be in possession of it.

Fiscal depute Pauline Gair told Inverness Sheriff Court that Jayden MacLennan, of Hill Street, Dingwall, "expressed surprise" when police officers retrieved the weapon from his back pocket after being alerted to its presence by a member of the public on June 26 2019.

"He said he didn’t know how it got there," Mrs Gair added.

MacLennan, now aged 20, pleaded guilty to being in possession of a knife in a public place.

Sentence was deferred until May 27.

A background report was called for in the meantime and MacLennan was ordered to be personally present at court for the sentencing hearing.