Man took a knife out of drawer during argument

A MAN who pulled out a knife out of a kitchen drawer during a Christmas Day argument with his mother and stepfather has been fined a total of £700 and spared a jail term.

Ian (name removed), admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and placing the knife in open view while behaving aggressively and uttering threats towards his 62 year old mother and 65 year old stepfather at Hillgrind, Mossbank on 25 December last year.

He also admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting and swearing at police officers at Hillgrind and en route to Lerwick Police Station that day.

Lerwick Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday that (name removed) had been “as open and frank as he possibly could” in speaking about his mental health, including low moods which are directly linked to physical health problems, during the preparation of a criminal justice social work report.

He has since been able to build bridges with the family members in question.

Sheriff Philip Mann said any offence involving a knife “always makes bells ring in a sheriff’s head”, but having read social workers’ report he was prepared not to impose a custodial sentence.