An Angus man who claims he was “kneecapped” by criminal associates has been jailed for carrying a knife to defend himself.
John Henry Nelson appeared from custody at Forfar Sheriff Court and was sentenced to 10 months in jail after he admitted being in possession of a weapon in public.
The court heard Nelson, of James Street, Arbroath, was afraid of being attacked by unknown individuals, who had allegedly struck his knees with a hammer.
Defence agent Billy Rennie said his client had been in jail until January and had tried to keep a clean record following his release.
However, he had got into a disagreement in April and was as Mr Rennie put it kneecapped.
The solicitor said: “It was over a friend of his he sought to defend, and he was later visited by a man and struck on the kneecaps with a hammer.
“He was made immobile by this for four or five weeks.
“He was only back on his feet a short time before this offence.
“He told social workers that he only carried the weapon because it gave him a measure of reassurance in case someone came at him with a hammer, and he’d have more to protect himself than just waving his fists.
“His life does seem to be moving in the right direction since (his release in) January, despite this offence.”
Sheriff Gregor Murray said he appreciated the 36-year-old had pled guilty at the first calling in court, and had indicated his intention to do so at an even earlier date.
However he said there are “consequences” to carrying a weapon in public.
“You admitted to the police that you were in possession of a knife only for your personal protection,” he said.
“There is a very simple way to deal with people who carry hammers and that’s to pick up the phone and tell the police who did it.”