A BELFAST man who carried a knife for self-protection has been put on probation for two years.
Thomas Begley was experiencing paranoia fuelled by drug-taking at the time, a judge was told.
The 24-year-old, of Cliftonpark Avenue in the city, admitted possessing a bladed article in a public place.
Belfast Magistrates' Court heard police attended an incident near his home in the early hours of February 24 last year.
Begley was located with a small knife in one of his trouser pockets.
A defence barrister argued that at no stage did he brandish the blade at officers.
"He carried it at that stage for protection as previously he had been the victim of a very serious assault," she said.
But District Judge Fiona Bagnall expressed concern at the explanation provided.
"That isn't a great comfort to the court," she said.
"That indicates if there is a difficulty he is going to use the knife."
Stressing the incident occurred 10 months ago, counsel replied: "At that stage he was still taking substances and they would have fed into a feeling of paranoia.
"He instructs he is no longer taking illicit substances."
Imposing two years probation, Mrs Bagnall warned Beglley he faces a tougher sentence for any further offences.