A man who had two kitchen knives and threatened to “slash” people in a Dundee shop while under the influence of Valium and whisky has been jailed.
John Simpson had been involved in an altercation at a shop in Mill O’Mains, with witnesses reporting he had chased people with a knife.
Police were told about Simpson swearing at two males in the shop, who were distressed by the incident.
He was said to have shouted “I want to kill someone, I want to slash someone.”
Dundee Sheriff Court heard the 27-year-old had been unhappy about being asked to leave the shop.
Simpson, a prisoner at Perth, admitted possessing two knives without reasonable excuse on April 11 at Mull Terrace.
His solicitor, Andrew Lyall, said due to the substances he had consumed, his client had “no recollection” of the incident.
He added: “He said these were knives he had at his father’s house.
“He had collected them to take to their owners.
“The intervening events had nothing to do with that.
“He had consumed Valium and whisky and had little or no recollection of the events.
“He tells me his girlfriend had gone into rehab and he started again with the habit he had.”
The court heard Simpson had numerous previous convictions for possessing knives and assault with a glass.
Sheriff Alastair Carmichael jailed him for 13 months, reduced from 16.
He said: “You’ve got a bad record of previous convictions, some of it involving knives.
“A custodial sentence is inevitable.
“I have taken into account your early plea.”
