A man who was caught with a knife in an East Renfrewshire street was slapped across the face by his mother for having it.
Jonathan Liddell was spotted on public space CCTV with a large knife in Barrhead’s Newton Avenue on May 29 last year without “reasonable excuse or lawful authority”.
The 32-year-old’s mother spotted him in the street with the bladed weapon and seized it from him before slapping him across the face. Cops were made aware Liddell had been viewed on CCTV and arrested him.
Prosecutor Matt Piskorz told Paisley Sheriff Court: “Around 6.35pm on May 29 last year police officers were requested to attend Newton Avenue in Barrhead as CCTV covering the area captured the accused in possession of a knife.
“Police were advised of this and a description of the accused and they made their way there.
“Once officers arrived, the accused was arrested and the knife was seized from him. He was thereafter processed and made no reply to caution and charge.”
Mr Piskorz showed the large, black-handled knife to the court. Defence agent Kevin Brady invited the court to call for a full range of reports.
He added: “The conviction on his record that will cause the most concern was committed when he was 13 years old.
He has no recollection of events as he was a profound alcoholic drinking on a daily basis at this point. He has no pending offences and not offended since this incident in May 2023.
“He has turned his life around and the knife was actually recovered from his mother who seen him in the street with it and seized it from him and slapped him across the face for having it.”
Sheriff Amel Elfallah said: “Possession of a knife in a public place, particularly a knife like that, is quite alarming. I could send you to prison but I will call for reports.”
Sentence was deferred until October 29 for the preparation of a criminal justice social work report and a restriction of liberty order assessment. Liddell, of Braeside Drive in Glasgow, had his bail continued meantime.
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