A Shotts knifeman who threatened to stab a relative has been sent to prison for 20 months.
John Nicol, 47, was sentenced after he admitted threatening or abusive behaviour at his home in Inverkip Drive on April 11. Hamilton Sheriff Court heard a female neighbour was awakened by banging shortly before 2am. When she asked Nicol to calm down he called her a junkie and threatened to shoot her.
Knife threat during dispute
Later that day a relative and another man arrived to collect belongings from Nicol's house. Connor McIntyre, prosecuting, said: "Nicol was shouting and swearing while holding a large kitchen knife. He brandished the knife and threatened to 'plug' one of the men and his daughter." He also told the other man 'I'll stab you'.
Police called to scene
Police officers arrived and Nicol shouted incoherently at them through his window. They tried to engage with him but his abusive behaviour continued. The officers went into the house and found the accused among the rafters in the loft. He continued to shout and swear. He wasn't formally charged at that time due to his level of intoxication.
Sentencing and background
Defence lawyer Stephen McQuillan said a "family dispute" was at the heart of the matter and his client has "significant mental health issues". Nicol has previous convictions for similar offending and Sheriff Liam Murphy told him: "Your aggressive behaviour while in possession of a knife must have been extremely frightening for the witnesses here."
