American tourist had knife in backpack at Inverness Airport

An American couple's tour of the North Coast 500 proved a more expensive holiday than they expected due to a bit of absent-mindedness.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard that 61-year-old New Yorker Howard Davidson, who has lived in Acton for 20 years, had flown north to see the world-famous coastal route in April last year.

But fiscal depute Sharon Ralph told Sheriff Sara Matheson that when Davidson was going through security at Inverness Airport, the contents of his hand luggage proved a problem.

The scanners picked up a metal object in his backpack which turned out to be a multi-tool Swiss Army knife with a blade.

Mrs Ralph told the court that the member of security staff advised Davidson that it was a banned item and that he would not be able to travel with it.

He was also informed that the police had been called.

Mrs Ralph said: "He explained to officers that he had it to cut cheese while he and his wife were out walking. But this was not a reasonable excuse and he was charged."

Davidson admitted possessing the blade.

He later told police: "The excuse for having it is reasonable. My wife and I always take the pocket knife to cut cheese and bread. Being from New York, I am aware of the atrocities that can be committed with a knife."

Defending, David Patterson said: "He forgot it was in his hand luggage."

Davidson, who appeared personally, was fined £320.