Man accused of DCA knife threat

A MAN accused of brandishing a knife at another man in Dundee Contemporary Arts is to stand trial.

Police descended on the art gallery, which also functions as a cinema and bar, following reports of a man allegedly threatening staff.

It is understood that the man left the premises following the incident and was later traced by officers. He was detained after an alleged struggle with seven police officers.

The man was charged with five separate offences by police.

Lloyd Cox, 23, of Mains Loan, appeared at the Sheriff Court and denied that on April 2, at DCA, Nethergate, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner likely to cause fear or alarm, shouted, swore, threatened people with violence and brandished a glass.

He also denied, at the same place and on the same date, assaulting John Handy by brandishing a knife at him and punching him repeatedly on the body, damaging a pair of spectacles, and assaulting Mr Handy by lunging at him with a pen.

He further denied resisting arrest by seven police officers by struggling violently with them.

A spokesman for Police Scotland confirmed t hey attended the art gallery after receiving reports of a man allegedly behaving i n a threatening manner towards people working there.

He said: “Police Scotland attended at Dundee Contemporary Arts, Nethergate, shortly before 8pm on April 2 in response to reports of a disturbance caused by a person, who had allegedly threatened staff before leaving the premises.

“He was traced and arrested a short time later near the Overgate Centre.

“The 23-year-old man was charged with a number of offences, and was kept in custody to appear at Dundee Sheriff Court.”

One witness told of seeing police apprehend a man outside the Overgate.

He said: “There were three police cars and a van next to the Overgate. They were restraining someone on the floor.

“I was driving home from work at the time. It was just after 8pm.”

Sheriff Alastair Carmichael set a trial date for June 21 with an intermediate diet on May 31, and granted Cox bail.

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Police at the scene of the incident.