A “vulnerable” knifeman has been sent behind bars over his failure to comply with a community order imposed for the Forfar offence.
John Oliver, who suffers from autism, admitted walking into a housing association office in the town’s Victoria Street in January 2017 with a knife before behaving in a threatening manner towards staff there.
The 36-year-old also threatened to harm himself during the incident.
He narrowly avoided custody with the imposition of a community payback order (CPO) with a range of attached conditions including supervision, but appeared back in the dock at Forfar Sheriff Court to face a damning report from social workers involved in his case over his non-compliance.
Defence solicitor Brian Bell said: “It is clear from the report that he will not co-operate with the CPO, although he appears to understand it was imposed as a direct alternative to custody.
“This is a complex case. He is autistic and has also been diagnosed with anti-social personality disorder.
“While he doesn’t accept there has been a wilful failure to comply with the order, that is not reflected in the report.
“His care manager has said it is doubtful whether he would comply if given another chance to complete the order, but I would ask that he is given an opportunity.
“The best thing that can be said in his favour is that this offence happened back at the start of 2017 and there has been no further offending.
“I accept the offence is serious, but he would be significantly vulnerable within the prison setting given his wide-ranging difficulties and I hope that can be avoided,” said Mr Bell.
Sheriff Gregor Murray told Oliver, of Westwood Walk, Montrose: “I know that you have difficulties medically and otherwise in your life.
“I also know this offence took place some time ago, but you were placed on a community order and while I didn’t expect everything to go smoothly, what happened is that you completely failed to assist those trying to help you and got no benefit from it.
“You pled guilty to a serious offence and your difficulties mean that prison won’t be easy for you, but nonetheless there is no alternative.”
Oliver was jailed for six months.
