Racist thug who slashed man dodges prison
Sheriff shows mercy on knife brute
A thug who admitted slashing a man in a racist knife attack has avoided a prison sentence.
Tanked-up Declan Scott, 19, branded victim David Lange a “P***,” while repeatedly slicing at him with a lock-back knife in front of witnesses at a flat in the town’s McKerrell Street.
He was handed his freedom with supervision instead of custody or even placed on a tag, despite having no idea why he knifed Mr Lange.
The burly teenager hoodwinked his way into the property where he repeatedly swung the blade at his victim, cutting Mr Lange on the face, head and arm, while spewing hateful slurs.
Scott, of Arkleston Road, Paisley, was at Paisley Sheriff Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to a charge of assaulting Mr Lange by repeatedly striking him on the head and body with a knife to his injury, and that the offence was racially aggravated.
Fiscal depute David McDonald said the victim and his pals had been watching a film in the flat when Scott conned his way in and launched the attack.
He said: “The knife had a threeinch blade with a black and white handle.
“Scott began swinging the knife at the complainer, who was desperately trying to avoid any contact.
“During this, Scott said: ‘ My uncle was stabbed by a black b******.’
“He went on to call the complainer a P***.”
The court heard Mr Lange suffered a 4cm laceration to his cheek, a 1.5cm gash to his head and another 1cm cut to his arm.
The victim then fled to a neighbour’s address where they phoned the emergency services in the early hours of April 8, last year.
When police arrived at the scene following reports of the disturbance, the accused approached officers displaying a cut to his hand and he claimed the person responsible was called “Dave,” and was a “half caste.”
Defence agent Jonathan Manson said his client had no excuse for the attack. However detailed background reports revealed he suffers from developmental difficulties which have left him “with the mental capacity of a six-year-old.”
Mr Manson said: “I have had concerns about whether he fully appreciates was is going in here.
“It’s very difficult to explain to him what is involved and the reasons his actions are wrong and the possible consequences.
“The detailed reports have been sympathetic to the accused.
“However, assault with a weapon, he had a knife and used it, would inevitably lead to custody.
“And there is nothing to say about mitigatory factors to the offence.
“He has the mental capacity of a six-year-old.
“When he is sober he knows the difference between right and wrong but does not have a plausible or sensible explanation for why he did it.
“He finds it difficult to control his actions when under the influence of drink.”
The lawyer urged the court to spare Scott jail, as he would be “vulnerable” in custody and impose a community- based disposal.
Sheriff David Pender said: “In 99 out of 100 cases, or as your lawyer said, in normal circumstances, custody would be the appropriate option in dealing with this case.
“However, I accept the very detailed information put forward and have decided it is probably not in the public interest to impose a period of imprisonment.
“It is very clear you cannot use your mental health difficulties forever and you have to take responsibility for your actions.
“If you commit an offence of this type again, it is almost inevitable that you will go to prison.”
Scott was handed a Community Payback Order comprising two years of supervision by the social work department.