‘Bizarre’ case of man with weapon
27-year-old wandering in shorts in early hours
A sheriff wants more information on the physical and mental health of an electrical engineer after he was found in bizarre circumstances near Perth’s South Inch in the early hours.
He was wearing shorts and a T-shirt, with a weight-lifting belt round his waist, at 1.50am, Perth Sheriff Court was told.
And when 27-year-old Leon Burdekin-Roberts, of Raeburn Park, Perth, was searched, police recovered a multi-tool lock knife in his possession.
His lawyer, Steve Lafferty, explained that he had been drinking whisky while gardening that day and was wearing the belt because of back problems.
But he also indicated the accused had been out practising with a bow and arrow and at some point had gone to sleep on a bench and had fallen into the water.
“It’s an unusual set of circumstances,” admitted Mr Lafferty.
Burdekin-Roberts admitted having the weapon on a footpath leading from Perth’s Glenearn Road to the South Inch on April 22 this year.
Describing it as “totally bizarre,” Sheriff Lindsay Foulis deferred sentence until July 18.
He wants information from the accused’s GP - and his employers in relation to his health and whether he has any issues with depression or anxiety.
Depending on what emerged, he might have to call for psychiatric or psychological reports in due course.
He wanted to get more information to satisfy himself there wasn’t “something more sinister” than what had been narrated in court.
“He would not be the first person who, on the face of it, is a responsible member of society but, because of some issue, is actually a potential risk to other people.
“It may be an over-reaction on my part but at this stage I want a bit more information.”
Depute fiscal Bill Kermode said officers were walking along the footpath shortly before 2am after dealing with an unrelated matter.
The accused was seen “standing underneath the tree line” at steps leading to Glenearn Road, next to a garden fence.
“Due to the time of night and the accused’s demeanour, they approached him.”
He was seen to be concealing something in his right hand.
“Police immediately told him to drop the item and he complied.”
When asked what it was, he said it was a bow.
“He was immediately handcuffed for the officers’ safety.”
The knife was then discovered after the accused was searched.
Due to the circumstances in which he was found, Burdekin-Roberts was checked over at PRI but was found to be “fit and well.”
The accused had apparently taken a bow and arrow from his shed and had gone to try it out while other members of the public weren’t around.
His lawyer pointed out that his client had only been charged with having the blade. Leon Burdekin-Roberts leaves Perth Sheriff Court this week