Man avoids jail after threats to stab lover

A DRUNKEN thug who threatened to stab his pregnant lover and her parents walked free from court yesterday.

Graham McLauchlin, 28, made the threats while holding a knife at Lyndsey Smith’s property in Easterhouse last September.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard the pair were on separate nights out in the city centre before returning to Dunskaith Street. McLauchlin, who was under the influence, got into an argument with Miss Smith in earshot of her parents John and Margaret.

Prosecutor Hannah Sweeney said: “McLauchlin headed to the kitchen and retrieve a knife from the drawer.

“He went on to make threats to plunge everyone but the parents were able to retrieve the knife from him.”

Officers later attended and found McLauchlin sitting in a garden chair at the front of the property.

Miss Sweeney told the court Miss Smith was three months pregnant at the time and was “very upset and frightened” at the incident.

McLauchlin pleaded guilty to acting in a threatening or abusive manner.

Lawyer, Ian McClelland, defending, told the court the pair were struggling with the knowledge that they were having a baby early into the relationship.

He added McLauchlin had a problem with alcohol and the pair have since split.

Sheriff Ian Miller put McLauchlin, of Rutherglen, on a twoyear community payback order.

McLauchlin will also be under supervision for two years.

Sheriff Miller granted a non-harassment order keeping McLauchlin from having any contact with Miss Smith for one year.