A BONHILL man found in possession of a knife at a local chip shop has been given a final chance to comply with a court order which was imposed as an alternative to custody.

Ladyton resident Thomas Hyslop was placed on a community payback order in June, which featured two years' supervision and the requirement to do 120 hours of unpaid work within nine months.

He was found with the bladed item at Papa Gees in Ladyton on November 22 last year.

But when he appeared in court this week his solicitor admitted that a report on the progress of the order made “very poor reading”.

Tom Brown said Hyslop had been trying to balance his normal employment with the unpaid work requirement, and had found it a difficult balancing act – particularly after changing jobs.

“He hasn't got that balance right,” Mr Brown told Dumbarton Sheriff Court on October 13.

“I've made it clear to him that he is in a very difficult position. He knows he has been given lots of chances.”

The report also made reference to 30-year-old Hyslop's problems with alcohol – something which led the presiding sheriff to suggest that a prison sentence might be appropriate.

“Alcohol is clearly a problem,” Sheriff William Gallacher told Mr Brown, “and courts are now discouraged from a 'short, sharp shock' sentence, but I wonder whether he needs to be pulled up to realise he needs to change his life.”

Mr Brown, however, said that a spell in jail, without access to alcohol, might simply make it more likely that Hyslop would go back to drinking on his release.

Turning directly to Hyslop, Sheriff Gallacher said: “If people are told there is alternative to prison and they don't do it, they have to realise they will go to prison.

“You had better attend each and every appointment on time, and in a fit state. If you fail on any one occasion I will revoke the order – and I will send you to prison for four months.”

A further review of the order was fixed for November 24.