AN HMP Bullingdon inmate caught with a 'razor blade fused with a toothbrush' in his cell has appeared at court.

William Jardine - who had previously said that he had the weapon as a 'cry for help' - appeared via videolink from HMP Bullingdon at Oxford Crown Court yesterday.

The 34-year-old of no fixed abode was due to be sentenced for one count of having in his possession an offensive weapon while in prison.

A judge previously said eight months in jail could be ordered.

READ AGAIN: His original sentencing hearing held last month.

Yesterday, his defence barrister - speaking via Skype - Jane Brady, asked to adjourn the case to explore the possibility of a residential rehabilitation programme instead of jail.

She said that her client was 'homeless and had been homeless for many years.'

Prosecutor Cathy Olliver - also at the court via Skype - said that at an earlier hearing Jardine had told the court he 'wanted to get it sorted and get his life back together' and to explore rehabilitation options.

Presiding, Judge Ian Pringle QC agreed to adjourn the case for one week so that it can be determined if any local hostels or charities were able to take Jardine on his release.

He told Jardine: "I will adjourn this for six days just to see if there is the possibility that a hostel can accommodate you.

READ ALSO: Live updates on coronavirus.

"It may well turn out that there isn't anything and we will cross that bridge when we come to it."

Jardine was remanded in custody to await his final sentencing hearing.

That hearing will take place at the same court on April 7.

Last month, at the same court it was revealed that prison guards had gone to Jardine's cell at the prison near Bicester on October 25 last year.

Jardine was found to have the makeshift weapon and he immediately surrendered it to guards once he had been caught.

The banned item was described as a 'razor blade fused with a toothbrush.'

In mitigation at that hearing defence barrister Jane Brady said that her client had experienced 'serious threats' at the prison and had been subject to threats by Travellers.

She added that her client - has who has 59 previous offences recorded against him - was committed to turning his life around.

She said: "He says he wants to get his life back together, he comes to this court with a desperate cry for help."