Blade thug said weapon was to cut garden hedge

Yob facing jail after excuse to cops thrown out by court

A yob busted with a blade from broken garden shears claims he was using it to hack back his neighbour’s “annoying” hedge.

Richard Glen, 37, told cops he was lopping branches after he was spotted in the street with the 2ft scythe.

His claims were blasted as “nonsense” after officers discovered electric trimmers left in his flat.

Glen admitted possessing the cutter, but insisted he had an excuse at Paisley Sheriff Court.

Sheriff Frances McCartney warned he could be locked up for the weapons rap.

She said: “I don’t accept your evidence in relation to the trimming of the hedge. “It’s totally incredible in my view.” Glen was lifted after he stormed outside with half the clippers.

He told cops he was trying to cut foliage blocking his path.

But the lout kicked-off at officers when they told him they did not believe his story.

Glen told the court he was frightened to use the electric set because it had sat in the cupboard for over a decade after being left by a previous tenant and “looked dangerous”. He added: “I wasn’t very well at the time. “I wasn’t going to go out and cut a full hedge. “I didn’t ask her for permission.” Glen wrestled and swore at police after they stopped him outside the block in Paisley’s Cardell Drive last August 2.

Defence lawyer Kirsty McGeehan called for her client to be acquitted of the blade rap.

She said: “His position has always been what was stated at the time of arresting him.

“He was perplexed as to why the police officers were in his house.

“He wanted to be made aware of why they were there and then tells them he was cutting a hedge. He was perfectly candid.

“He was not out to cut the entire hedge but to trim the bit that hung over the path. “The police didn’t accept that position.” Sheriff McCartney convicted the lout of struggling with police, acting aggressively and possessing a weapon.

She called for background reports and a probe into his suitability for a tag and curfew.

Glen could be caged for up to a year for the offences when he is sentenced next month.