An axe wielding thug who threatened to “set fire to everyone” during a six-hour police siege has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.
Kenneth Douglas smeared blood over his face and body and barricaded himself inside his Alyth flat after a row with neighbours.
The street was locked down by police during the stand-off and nearby residents were evacuated. The incident in December last year, was quelled when firearms officers forced their way into Douglas’s High Street home.
The 36-year-old, who admitted causing the disturbance, returned to Perth Sheriff Court on Friday to learn his fate.
Sheriff Lindsay Foulis said the incident began around 3pm as a dispute between neighbours, but when police arrived on the scene Douglas “really goes for broke”.
He said: “There is no doubt this a serious offence.
“It started off with you behaving in a threatening and abusive manner, particularly against your neighbours.
“But things continued until 10.15pm, during which time the area was effectively on lockdown.”
Douglas, described as a prisoner at Perth, was sentenced to 30 months with a year-long supervision order once he’s released.
Solicitor David Holmes said Douglas had a history of depression and anxiety issues. His beloved pet dog had died just weeks earlier, he told the court.
Douglas had been prescribed medication from a doctor that morning, but had not taken it, Mr Holmes said.
“He does have strong support from family members who recognise his positive qualities.”
The court was told Perth and Kinross Council had received dozens of complaints about Douglas, especially loud noise and music coming from his property.
Depute fiscal John Malpass had told the court that Douglas threw a wheelie bin at a resident, narrowly missing them, smashed some car windows, while carrying a small axe.
When police were called, Douglas leaned out of windows and threatened to stab and kill officers if they tried to enter. Mr Malpass said Douglas threw an axe at two officers and told police the only way they would get him out would be if they shot him.
“The accused then began smashing windows in his house, with glass shards landing near officers below,” Mr Malpass said.
“He had cut himself and smeared blood over his face and body. Then the accused said he would blow up the house by releasing his domestic gas.
“Firearms officers and negotiators were called in but the accused refused to communicate with them,” Mr Malpass continued.
“The incident ended when firearms officers forced their way into a room in the house.”
Douglas, 36, c/o Perth Prison, admitted that on December 6 at High Street, Alyth, he threw various items and objects about the street, brandished an axe, struck windows, shouted and swore and uttered threats of violence to residents.
He also pled guilty to a charge that on the same date and location he uttered threats of violence towards police officers, refused to desist, armed himself with two knives, threatened to stab and kill police, smashed windows causing glass shards to fall, threw an axe in the direction of two officers, held a knife against his throat and threatened to blow his house up by releasing domestic gas if police entered the property.
