Sentence deferred over street knife rammy

Worried residents called the police after watching a man use a knife during a street fight in East Kilbride.

David Rebecca was seen to strike pal Robert Fleming with the blade and also attempt to hit him with a tree brunch.

The brawl led to both men appearing at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday.

Rebecca, 47, a prisoner, admitted causing a breach of the peace in Owen Avenue, East Kilbride, on August 10.

Fleming, 41, of Juniper Avenue, East

Kilbride, had his not guilty plea to the charge accepted.

Neil Thomson, prosecuting, said trouble broke out about 7pm.

The men were with two or three others at the time and people living nearby heard shouting in the street.

They saw Rebecca brandishing a knife at Fleming then strike him with it before the pair started“wrestling and struggling violently”.

Mr Thomson told the court: “Numerous 999 calls were received from residents.”

Police officers arrived a short time later, with Rebecca and Fleming still fighting at that time.

Fleming was taken to Hairmyres Hospital, but his injuries were“fairly minor”.

Mr Thomson added:“Neither man co-operated with the police investigation.”

The court heard Rebecca has twice been jailed for serious assault and is currently awaiting sentence for a domestic assault.

His lawyer, Andy Thomson, said there have in the past been“addiction issues”.

Referring to the latest incident, Mr Thomson told Sheriff Ray Small:“I don’t know exactly what went on that day.

“These men are friends. They had been drinking and this was an argument over nothing.”

Sentence was deferred until December 13 and Rebecca was remanded in custody.