Lout is locked up for four months

A machete-wielding yob who confronted cops in a close has been caged for four months.

Tanked-up Barry Matthews, 35, armed himself with a broad-bladed weapon amid claims somebody was after him or his pal, at a party in Paisley, a court heard.

The lout was discovered on the stairs leaving the flat when police were called out to the house following complaints about the noise at the address in the town’s McKerrell Street on April 19.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard that Matthews, who is currently serving a sentence for shoplifting, pleaded guilty to the weapon rammy when he appeared in the dock earlier this week.

Fiscal depute Emma Jeffrey said: “There had been a report to police regarding loud music coming from the house and officers made their way to the address.

“They gained entry via the door to the common close, proceeded up to the landing where they were met by the accused, who was standing in the middle of the second floor stairs and it was immediately noted that he had in his possession a large-bladed machete.

“The accused was holding the weapon in his left hand. Officers appealed to him drop the knife. He did not comply.

“Police officers requested assistance and support from other police and repeatedly asked him to drop the knife. “He eventually did so.” During his arrest, Matthews told cops he had armed himself with the machete because “someone was going to hurt me” and he was only going to “scare” his attacker.

He also told officers he believed “someone was going to attack my mate”.

His defence agent Kirsty McGeehan said: “He has an alcohol problem, but is very much a man in denial as the circumstances in this case reveal.

“His drinking was out of control, but this has been addressed appropriately by his current setting as he is serving a prison sentence for shoplifting.

“It is fortunate that he was found by the police and did not make it outside. And he appreciates a custodial sentence would be probably the appropriate disposal today.

“I would ask the court reflect his plea of guilty at an earlier hearing in the disposal of this case.”

Sheriff Susan Sinclair told Matthews there “could have been horrible consequences” had police not intervened and disarmed him.

She said: “There is no alternative to a custodial sentence in dealing with this matter. I would have jailed you for six months, but for your plea at an intermediate diet, so I sentence you to four months.”

He has an alcohol problem, but is very much a man in denial Kirsty McGeechan