Man flew into rage after being struck by beer can

A Perth man“flew into a rage”when he was hit on the head with a metal beer can during a five-hour drinking session with friends on Perth’s Moncreiffe Island.

Twenty-year-old Kristopher King then pulled a knife from his jeans pocket and threatened to stab a terrified female, Perth Sheriff Court was told.

Other members of the group tried to intervene but he repeatedly shouted and swore and said“they would get it.”

Most of the group then panicked and fled across the railway bridge to Tay Street where they told officers in a passing patrol car what had happened.

King, of Matthews Drive, was arrested and taken to Perth Police HQ and the weapon, a small retractable craft knife, was recovered.

King admitted making the threats while holding the blade at Moncreiffe Island on May 13 last year.

He also pled guilty to flouting an 8pm-6am court curfew on May 15 by not being home at 11.45pm that day.

Depute fiscal Carol Whyte explained that a “number of youths”were on the island from about 5pm on May 13 and were “all drinking alcohol.”

Shortly after 10pm the accused was struck by the can and then pulled the blade from his pocket.

He was holding it at his stomach level and said he was going to stab the girl.

“The female was very alarmed at the accused’s actions,”added the fiscal.

Solicitor Pauline Cullerton said he had put on a pair of jeans which contained the knife which he used at work.

A first offender, she added:“He’s not without his own personal difficulties throughout his life.

“But he has made positive changes to his lifestyle in a positive manner.”

The bail offence had taken place after he “went out with friends” when he should have remained in the house.

SheriffWilliamWood told King the charges he faced were“serious”and they had reached the custodial threshold.

But he was prepared to impose a Community Payback Order as a direct alternative.

The accused will have to complete 150 hours of unpaid work within six months but he was warned that if he failed to complete them, a prison sentence was awaiting.

“You have messed up once in your life - don’t make it twice,”added the sheriff.