A thief who made off with vodka was caught with a knife when the blade fell out his pocket as he fell over.

Andrew Drummond admitted he stole a quantity of alcohol at Tesco, Main Street, Auchinleck on May 23 last year.

The 35-year-old, whose address was listed as HMP Kilmarnock, also admitted carrying a knife in a public place when he appeared from custody at Ayr Sheriff Court last week [Monday, January 29].

One of the bottles of vodka was smashed when Drummond fell over, with the knife also falling out his pocket at the same time.

Procurator Fiscal depute Chris Munro said: "At 12.45pm the witness was working at the locus. He was alerted to a possible shoplifter. 

"The accused had two litre bottles of vodka. Security attempted to stop the accused.  

"They observed the accused fall and smash one vodka bottle and dropping a black-handled knife.

"He was later traced with the other bottle of vodka. They were valued at £20 each."

Mr Munro handed Sheriff Mhairi MacTaggart the blade recovered from the scene.

Defence solicitor Tony Currie told the court his client had a long record but stated the knife was intended as a tool than weapon.

He asked for his sentence to be backdated - having been first remanded in custody on February 24.

He said: "He is a 35-year-old man with a record extending 18 years and addiction issues.

"Effectively having gained access to alcohol he then ran off round the corner one of the two bottles smashed and the item before you fell out his pocket.

"He has benefited greatly from time on remand, gaining access to opiate blockers. He has long term connections to the area and two children."

Sheriff MacTaggart said: "Mr Drummond a custodial sentence is inevitable. I will take account of your extended time in custody. 

He was sentenced to nine months for the vodka and 18 months for the knife - backdated to when he was first remanded on May 24, 2023.