Back in jail after knife offence

A killer has been jailed again after he was caught carrying a knife in Coatbridge town centre.

Ally Gordon, 24, claimed he fell in with the wrong crowd when he moved to Scotland after being released from prison.

Gordon had been sentenced to three-and-a-half years for the manslaughter of a man in Sunderland in 2019.

He appeared from custody at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week and admitted possession of a knife on November 27, 2022.

Lauren Cole, prosecuting, said Gordon was arrested on Coatbridge

Main Street at 2.40am after a member of the public tipped off police that he had a weapon.

The fiscal said:“officers approached him and observed a lock knife in the waistband of his trousers.”

The court heard that Gordon was jailed for 40 months at Newcastle Crown Court in November last year.

He admitted allowing another killer who was on the run from police to hide at his flat in Sunderland in December 2021.

Defence lawyer Nicky Matteo said Gordon moved to Scotland to“bond” with his father and look for work after being freed from prison on licence.

Mr Matteo stated:“unfortunately, he got mixed up with the wrong peer group here and was taking alcohol and valium on a daily basis. He was sofa surfing and sleeping on park benches. His life was a mess and he has no recollection of having a knife.

“He has been serving his 40-month sentence at HMP Northumberland, but it’s his intention to get a move to a Scottish prison as he wants to make a life here on his release.”

Sheriff Joseph Hughes jailed Gordon, who also admitted possessing a stolen wallet, for 21 months to run alongside the 40-month stretch.