Man faces charge of possessing knife

A 45-YEAR-old man appeared in court charged with having a knife in his possession following an alleged incident in the back of a Perth police van.

There was a heavy police presence at Perth Sheriff Court when Stuart Lymer, of Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, appeared in private before Sheriff Gillian Wade to face a charge of possessing a knife at Perth Railway Station, Glasgow Road, on Monday.

Lymer, who was represented by local solicitor David Holmes, made no plea or declaration.

Mr Holmes had asked for him to be released on bail but Sheriff Wade refused this and remanded him in custody.

Four police officers manned the corridor outside the courtroom where the case was being heard.

Two officers then accompanied G4S custody staff to escort Lymer downstairs back to the court cells following his brief hearing.

Officers from Staffordshire Police were also present at court before the case was heard.

Lymer was apprehended by police at the railway station on Monday after being spotted with a 17-year-old female who had previously been reported missing.

The teenager was also arrested but is understood to be receiving medical treatment at Ninewells Hospital following an alleged incident in a police van.