Man who pulled knife on old friend is jailed despite apology

A PARANOID man pulled a knife on his old college friend in a Perth park and demanded: “Who are you?”

Jackson Convery took out the blade as he walked with his friend through South Inch.

The city’s sheriff court heard the friend was in the process of legally changing his name.

Fiscal depute Elizabeth Hodgson said Convery met the man in Perth on October 1 last year.

“They went for a walk along the Inch,” the prosecutor said.

“The accused then pulled a knife from his pocket. He pointed the tip of the blade at the complainer’s chest area and asked him: ‘Is it Dean or Kyle? Who are you?’

“The complainer described the blade as being slightly over three inches long with a black handle.”

Ms Hodgson added: “At this point, a member of the public approached the two men and the accused put the knife back in his pocket.

“The complainer then left the area, with the accused following behind him shouting: ‘Dean, I want to be your mate.’”

The man contacted the police and later showed investigators Snapchat messages from Convery saying he was “truly sorry, my friend”.

Convery, of Glengilp, Ardrishaig, Argyll, appeared in court via video link from prison.

He admitted having a knife without excuse or legal authority in a public place on October 1. His solicitor said: “He believed that the complainer was out to harm him and he had the knife with him for protection.”

Convery, who is facing jail for an unrelated matter, apologised to his friend and to the police.

Sheriff Craig McSherry told Convery: “I note that this is a matter that was prompted by certain health difficulties that you were suffering at the time.”

The sheriff said he would have fined Convery £250, but it would be converted into jail time.

It is understood it would be between seven and 14 days.

Jackson Convery appeared in court by a video link.