A career criminal is back behind bars after he was caught with a deadly weapon in a Perth supermarket.
Nathan Taylor was seen wandering around Lidl with a spiked wooden stick down his trousers.
The 31-year-old appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted having the weapon – listed on court papers as “a piece of wood with nails attached” – at the Riggs Road store on May 22.
His solicitor Paul Ralph said: “If it’s any consolation, having an item like this down his trousers would have been more of a hazard to himself than anyone else.”
Taylor muttered “specky b******” as Sheriff Francis Gill jailed him for five months.
Stopped by staff
Fiscal depute David Currie told the court: “The accused was within the store at about 8pm.
“He was observed making his way towards the tills and appeared to be under the influence of something.”
He said: “The accused began to walk off without paying and was stopped by staff.
“As he rummaged through his pockets to find money, staff noticed he had a piece of wood with nails sticking out of it in his trousers.”
Taylor, of Kestrel Way, Perth, was asked to leave the store.
“As he was heading to the exit, he was seen taking the item out of his waistband,” Mr Currie said.
Police tracked down Taylor in nearby New Row after he was identified by witnesses at the supermarket.
No excuse for weapon
Mr Ralph stressed his client did not brandish the weapon at anyone.
He said Taylor could soon have to provide care for a close relative, who is in hospital after falling seriously ill.
“It means Mr Taylor will have to rethink his life, deal with his long-time addictions and take responsibility for someone else rather than himself.”
Sheriff Gill told Taylor: “It was completely unacceptable to have this item in a public place.
“I also note you have given no reason for having it with you.
“I am satisfied that a custodial sentence is appropriate.”
Taylor replied: “Aye, no bother,” before swearing as he was led out of the dock.
This summer Taylor was locked up for sneaking into a pensioner’s home and stealing hundreds of pounds of jewellery, including her late husband’s wedding ring.
Wilma Alma, 79, told The Courier how she nearly had a heart attack when she came face-to-face with her intruder.
“I would have wellied him,” she said.
