A thug who went to a family home brandishing a machete — telling those inside “I’ll slash you” — has been jailed after a sheriff said he was a threat to the public.
Josh McLean, 27, of Nithsdale Avenue, admitted four charges during an appearance at Dundee Sheriff Court.
He admitted that on July 8 this year, at Grampian Gardens, he shouted and threatened those present, including his former partner Louise Kelly, with violence, and brandished a machete, while on bail.
McLean also admitted that on October 9 2016, at Grampian Gardens, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner likely to cause fear or alarm, shouted and swore at Ms Kelly, called her abusive names, threatened to damage her property by smashing her windows and threw an unidentified item at a window, while on bail.
He further admitted on May 30 he also breached his bail by entering Grampian Gardens and on July 8, possessing cannabis at West Marketgait, while on bail.
Depute fiscal Joanne Smith told the court that on July 8, McLean had gone to the house in Grampian Gardens, shouting and threatening those present and saying: “I’ll slash you.”
He brandished the machete while he did so, before making off in a car.
Police traced him in West Marketgait later that day and he was searched and found to be in possession of cannabis.
Sheriff James McDonald was asked to consider imposing a restriction of liberty order as a direct alternative to custody by McLean’s solicitor.
But Sheriff McDonald told McLean: “It is a matter of great concern to me that the analogous matters in your offending are all related to the same complainer.”
Sheriff McDonald pointed out McLean had been sentenced to nine months in jail in 2015, which he said had been of little deterrent to him.
The sheriff added that on McLean’s release, he had continued to attend at the home of the complainer “in clear breach of the bail conditions”, and in July 2017, “brandished a bladed weapon”.
Sheriff McDonald said a social work report remarked on his “escalating” behaviour and said community payback orders had little effect on his offending behaviour, while a restriction of liberty order would be inadequate in protecting the public. McLean was sentenced to 17 months in prison.
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