Police officers who went to help a stricken mobility scooter rider ended up arresting her for carrying a knife.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard Kinga Kramarz was found lying beside the machine on a footpath in East Kilbride town centre.
She had been drinking and explained that the scooter’s battery had run out of charge.
Officers found a Stanley knife in her jacket pocket.
First offender Kramarz, 44, of Maxwellton Place, East Kilbride, admitted carrying a bladed item without reasonable excuse in Cornwall Street on September 29, 2023.
Lewis Devoy, prosecuting, said police responded to a report that a woman was lying on the ground beside an underpass about 6pm.
He told the court: “Officers found the accused lying on the footpath beside her mobility scooter.
“She told them its battery had run out of charge.
“The officers got her to her feet and walked her back to their vehicle.
“They were going to convey her home but, due to safety procedures, she was subjected to a search beforehand.
“A Stanley knife was found in her jacket pocket and she was arrested and taken to Motherwell police station.”
Kramarz was held in custody until an initial court appearance three days later when she was given bail.
Defence lawyer Stephen McQuillan said his client had been drinking which was unusual for her.
He stated: “Regarding her possession of the knife, she had forgotten it was in her pocket.
“She is a keen gardener and can only think that it is one of many tools she uses while working in the garden.”
Sheriff Mungo Bovey said he was prepared, given the unusual circumstances, to defer sentence for one year for good behaviour.
He told Kramarz: “If you do behave you will be admonished.”
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