Knifeman threatened neighbour over music

Blade thug chased victim after making noise complaint

A knifeman sparked terror by rushing into his neighbour’s home and chasing him from room to room, a court was told.

Charles Taylor, 53, burst into the property amid accusations that his neighbours were playing loud music and had been “talking about him.”

The accused armed himself with the blade and stormed the property at Blantyre Court, Erskine, occupied by Scott Williamson, after booting on the door.

Taylor then went after Mr Williamson in front of his guests, repeatedly attempting to get him with the knife until he was eventually chased out of the house.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard Taylor also caused mayhem on March 5, by kicking and banging doors, shouting and bawling until he was placed under arrest.

Fiscal depute Pamela Brady said: “Someone kicked the front door.

“The complainer opened the door and found the accused standing with a knife in his left hand.

“He shouted at Mr Williamson, ‘Right ya wee p***k turn that music down.’

“Mr Williamson ran into the hallway, pursued by Taylor.

“He went into the living room and thereafter the kitchen while the accused was seen by other people in the flat that he still had the knife.

“He was told to get out and get the knife away.

“One of the guests filmed the incident on his mobile phone.”

The court heard cops who were called out could hear the disturbance still going on.

They arrested the accused and discovered he was carrying the weapon.

Taylor, who is currently detained for psychiatric treatment in hospital, pleaded guilty to charges of having a knife in his possession and attempting to assault Mr Williamson with the weapon and pursuing him.

The accused also admitted behaving in a threatening and abusive manner, likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear and alarm, by swearing, shouting, and uttering threats.

Defence agent Gordon Ritchie said he was seeking a medical report about his client who believed, rightly or wrongly, his neighbour had been playing loud music and making complaints about him.

The lawyer added he wished the accused to remain detained in hospital, where he is receiving treatment, while this report is prepared.

He added: “I would ask matters are continued for the preparation of the psychiatric report.”

Sheriff Susan Sinclair agreed with the defence agent telling the accused he will stay “where he is” until July 19 when he will learn of his fate.

She also ordered a Mental Health Order assessment be prepared.