An artist found in Galashiels with a knife was jailed for nine months at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday.
Fifty-seven-year-old Michael Kay, described as a prisoner in Edinburgh, appeared on indictment and admitted having a lock knife at Channel Street on September 25.
Kay said he used the knife during his work as an artist and had forgotten he had it in his jacket pocket.
Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser told how Kay had earlier been in a local bank.
He said: “He had gone to the bank that morning and his behaviour was bizarre and somewhat alarming.”
Police were contacted and Kay was seen in a nearby café. He was detained by officers and searched, and a lock knife found in his jacket pocket.
“He is a painter and said he used it for his work, and that he had put it in his pocket in the studio,” said Mr Fraser.
“The fact that he has a drink problem and that he was out and about with a knife is a matter of concern.”
Defence solicitor Iain Burke said his client had been involved in the creative art world for many years, and his work included painting and wood carving.
“The biggest mistake he made was going out with it in his pocket,” explained Mr Burke.
The lawyer went on: “He has had a long-standing problem with alcohol”, adding that his “isolated lifestyle” had seen him “back on a downward spiral”.
Mr Burke pointed out: “This is not a young man tooled up, looking for trouble, but the dual concern is a knife and alcohol.”
The nine-month jail term was backdated to September 26.