A boozed-up thug followed a Renfrewshire couple to their home wielding a machete.
Stephen Watters was in Johnstone’s Ryefield Avenue with the weapon when Laura Wilson and Nathan Stewart were unfortunately also making their way home at the time.
Watters, of Dundonald Avenue, shouted and swore at the victims while in possession of the bladed weapon on August 11.
When the 37-year-old was told to calm down, he turned aggressive and followed the couple to their home, shouting at them to “f*****g come out’.
Prosecutor Amber Feeney told Paisley Sheriff Court: “Around 4.30pm, both Laura Wilson and Nathan Stewart left Highcraig Avenue to make their way to Mr Stewart’s home. As they were walking, they became aware of the accused walking towards them in possession of an unknown item in his hand.
“Neither acknowledged the accused but noted he was shouting. He was stating, ‘Who’s that, what’s your name? Tell me your name. Shut the f**k up’.
“As the couple approached the accused, they observed the object was a blue-handled machete which alarmed them. Mr Stewart told the accused to calm down and that they hadn’t done anything and to leave them alone.”
The court heard that, due to being frightened, both Mr Stewart and Ms Wilson ran to Ryefield Avenue, where they saw out-of-control Watters enter a garden.
Ms Feeney added: “Ms Wilson became frantic and told Mr Stewart to come inside and lock the door and he did so. The accused was shouting, ‘F*****g come out then’.
“Ms Wilson contacted the police at this time and she saw the accused leave and walk up a footpath.
“Mr Stewart exited the property to observe a more accurate route of travel when the accused walked towards him with the machete. Mr Stewart was forced to push a bin over to cause a disruption.”
The court heard that, when cops arrived, Watters wasn’t within sight but they noted Stewart and Wilson to be “extremely distressed and emotional”.
Ms Fenney added: “Officers in Ryefield Avenue then saw Stewart running, stating, ‘it’s him, he’s still here, he has the knife’.
“Officers observed the accused with the knife and the armed response unit was deployed. The accused was arrested, handcuffed and made no reply to caution and charge.”
Eliott Gemmell, defence agent, told the court: “This is both a very concerning and serious matter, made more serious due to his previous conviction.
“He accepts his behaviour would have caused deep distress to the people involved but also to the police officers and any members of the public that may have witnessed this incident.
“This matter could justifiably merit a custodial sentence and he is under no illusion you will be considering that.”
Mr Gemmell explained Watters was a man who on occasion “drank to excess” and had done so on this evening, stating: “He recognises there is no justification or excuse for his conduct. He had drunk that much alcohol he has little to no recollection.”
Sentencing, Sheriff Clare Arias stated: “I don’t believe you don’t know these people. I will take a step back from custody due to your lack of record. I do not believe this was random and I do think there’s a public protection element required here.”
Sheriff Arias ordered Watters to wear a tag on his ankle placing him on a restriction of liberty order for 20 weeks. Watters will be required to remain within his home between 7pm and 7am each day.