A MUSSELBURGH man who was attacked in his own home by a gang was subsequently caught outside by police officers carrying a knife.

Stephen Arthur and his partner were at their King Street home on January 24 when men burst in and began assaulting them.

Arthur wrestled a blade from one of the men before managing to get them to leave the property, a court heard.

Arthur, 40, then left his home still in possession of the 12” kitchen knife, which was tucked into his waistband.

Police had been called out to deal with the initial altercation and while speaking to Arthur he told the officers “he was in possession of a knife”.

The blade was seized by police and Arthur was arrested and charged.

Solicitor Simon Collins, defending, told Edinburgh Sheriff Court that Arthur had been “injured at the time” of the incident and that a “number of men had forced their way in and assaulted both him and his partner”.

Mr Collins said his unemployed client had managed to get a knife from one of the attackers and what had followed had been “rash on his part”.

Mr Collins added: “Ultimately they were victims of trouble in their own home.”

Sheriff Kenneth McGowan told Arthur: “In view of the explanation given, and you did admit it all to the police, I will deal with this matter more leniently than I would normally do.”

The sheriff sentenced Arthur to carry out 50 hours of unpaid work.