Drunken blacksmith wielded blade at ex

Brute ripped clothing and threatened woman’s life

A drunken blacksmith who turned up at his expartner’s home armed with a knife, and repeatedly threatened to kill her, was jailed for 30 months at Perth Sheriff Court this week.

The court heard that 67-yearold William Smith, of Babcock Crescent, Carsie, near Blairgowrie, chased Angela Duncan around her home as he brandished the blade.

He then made the chilling threat: “We are both going to die tonight – you first, then me.”

In an alcoholic rage, he wielded the weapon, which he had just honed to make it “really sharp”.

He then lashed out at her, cutting through her jumper and ripping it open, before shouting: “Your flesh is next.”

Police, who responded to her 999 call, used pepper spray in a bid to disarm Smith but then had to repeatedly strike him on the arms with their batons before he dropped the knife.

Sheriff William Wood told Smith: “This wasn’t a lover’s tiff.

“You were a very dangerous man on February 9.”

And were it not for the intervention of police and neighbours, he added: “Who knows what harm might have befallen Miss Duncan and others.”

Smith was described in a number of testimonials as “friendly, trustworthy, generous and good-natured” – a person who supported local charities and was a skillful worker.

But Sheriff Wood said they “painted a very different picture” compared to his behaviour that night.

In order to “protect the public from serious harm,” Smith had a Supervised Release Order imposed and will be monitored in the community for 12 months after his release.

The court heard that the victim, of Arthur Street, Blairgowrie, had been “deeply affected psychologically” as a result of her terrifying experiences that night and had sought additional support from a number of agencies.

In a bid to protect her, a NonHarassment Order was imposed, banning him from approaching or contacting her for the next five years.

He will also have to undergo alcohol treatment for a problem that has “spanned decades.”

Solicitor David Holmes said the incident had taken place at the end of a “long relationship.”

There was an unresolved issue of a car which he had given her.

“He had asked for it back as he suspected there was another party involved.”

The lawyer added: “He realises his behaviour was unacceptable and the relationship is no more.”

His client had been assessed as suitable for a Community Payback Order, with certain conditions imposed.

He urged the sheriff to follow that course.

But Sheriff Wood concluded: “Only a custodial sentence would be appropriate.”

The jail term was backdated to February 12 when Smith was first remanded.

This wasn’t a lover’s tiff. You were a very dangerous man on February 9.