A PROWLER was caught with a 14lb hammer and a knife near flats where pensioners lived.

When Graham O'Brien was caught by police in Giffnock at 2am he claimed the hammer and knife were for his protection.

The 23-year-old told officers: "Some people are after me."

O'Brien, of Penrith Avenue, Giffnock, pleaded guilty to being in unlawful possession of the fence post hammer and knife at Park Court, Park Road, a public place, without authority.

A defence agent said O'Brien had recently been serving a sentence, but was on release having been electronically tagged.

Sheriff Susan Sinclair deferred sentence until February 28 and called for a social inquiry report and community service assessment.