A Fife pensioner made a series of sexual remarks towards a female taxi driver before showing her a pair of firearms.
Thomas McCabe placed the cabbie in a state of “fear or alarm” by producing the two rifles after a taxi journey across Leven.
The 77-year-old had invited the woman into his house to sleep with him before taking out his weapons.
McCabe stood trial at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court but tendered a plea of guilty midway through.
Jurors heard a day of evidence from the female taxi driver on Friday.
She spoke about driving McCabe from Shorehead in Leven to his home in Greengates, around a mile and a half away, on October 23 in 2019.
However, a plea was agreed for when the jury were reconnected on Monday morning and no more evidence was led.
Sexual comments
McCabe admitted that in the course of the journey, he acted threateningly or abusively towards the taxi driver, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
He admitted repeatedly making sexual remarks towards her, making comments about her appearance and making reference to firearms.
McCabe repeatedly invited her into his home to see his guns and whilst paying his fare, he showed the woman two guns.
His plea of not guilty to a charge that he had firearms or imitation firearms with the intention of causing the driver to believe they would be used in unlawful violence against her was accepted.
Weapons could be forfeited
The Crown lodged a motion to seize the weapons.
Sheriff Alison McKay ordered a criminal justice social work report and for McCabe to be assessed for a restriction of liberty order.
Defence solicitor Chris Sneddon explained that a psychological report had already been prepared, which made reference to McCabe’s diagnosis of PTSD following his service.
Sheriff McKay explained that McCabe’s most recent conviction, dating back to 2019, was an analogous one.
She told him: “You have a similar conviction.
“Any offence that involves firearms, whether imitation or not, is a serious offence.”
The sheriff continued McCabe’s bail and fixed a sentencing hearing on September 26.
