A BARRHEAD man who was caught with a police-style baton outside a row of shops has been ordered to perform unpaid work in the community.

Ross Henry appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Wednesday after previously pleading guilty to carrying an offensive weapon in a public place on May 22 last year.

The court heard that police who were on patrol received a call about a man wearing a blue tracksuit top and matching shorts who was carrying a weapon in Crookston Road, Glasgow.

Within minutes, officers spotted Henry outside the Spar store and Café Asia restaurant.

He pulled the weapon from his sleeve and handed it to officers.

Henry’s solicitor said her 33-year-old client was in a “very low place” at the time of the offence.

She added: “It’s been a moment of madness. There really is no explanation to give as to why he had this baton.

"He was extremely intoxicated and was suffering from poor mental health. He’s currently getting help with both issues and has been engaging well.”

The solicitor went on to say that Henry would be willing to pay a financial penalty.

Sheriff Daniel Kelly ordered Henry to complete 60 hours of unpaid work in the community.

He told him: “Taking these circumstances into account, along with the manner in which you dealt with this offence, I’ll deal with this by ordering you to undertake hours of unpaid work.”