Slash threats to mum and baby

An east Perthshire man threatened to “slash” a woman’s throat - and that of her five-month-old child - during an alcohol and drug-fuelled incident in Blairgowrie.

Perth Sheriff Court was told that 27-year-old ground worker Robbie Johnston, of Isla Court, Alyth, had been helping a friend move house.

But he started drinking - and had also taken an unnamed substance.

“He accepts that wasn’t a good mix,” according to his lawyer, Pauline Cullerton.

He admitted shouting and swearing and making the violent threat to the female and her young child in Blairgowrie on May 13 this year.

Depute fiscal Robbie Brown said the accused had gone out at 9.30am to help with the removal.

She later received a call about 3pm and it was “clear” he had been drinking quite a lot.

He returned at 9pm, “clearly under the influence,” added the fiscal.

He began shouting and swearing and said he was going to slash the complainer and the child.

Ms Cullerton said Johnston had “little recollection” of what had happened because of what he had taken.

“Since this happened he hasn’t taken any alcohol or illicit substances.”

Sheriff William Wood deferred sentence until August 16 to allow the accused to contact Tayside Council on Alcohol to receive help with his drink problem.

The sheriff noted he had told a social worker he had already done that but when she checked up, that hadn’t been the case.

A supplementary background report on the accused’s progress will be given then.

Sheriff Wood warned him that “all options, including jail,” remained open.