Man had lock knife in Perth park

A 21-year-old man was caught with a lock knife in his rucksack in a Perth park.

Pauric Batterham was with a group of around 15 young people sitting in the middle of the North Inch about 2.15pm, Perth Sheriff Court was told.

Police decided to investigate whether or not they were drinking, explained depute fiscal Lisa Marshall.

“They were holding what looked like lager cans - and there was a strong smell of cannabis coming from the group,”she said.

Batterham was subsequently searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act and in his rucksack they discovered a lock knife.

The blade was part of a multi-tool and it led to Batterham being charged.

The accused, of Simpson House, Forgandenny - his home was previously given as Strathallan School - changed his plea to guilty at his latest court appearance.

He admitted having the knife at the park on April 20, 2018.

Solicitor Rosie Scott said:“It was the smell of cannabis coming from the general group that attracted the interest of police.”

The multi-tool had been given to him by his father and he had used it when he worked for Specsavers.

He had no previous involvement with the police and had‘forgotten’the item was in his bag.

The lawyer asked that the court consider giving her client an‘absolute discharge’as he was considering youth or off-shore work as possible career opportunities.

Sheriff William Wood said he had given“serious thought”to dealing with the matter in that way.

But the accused knew what the item was capable of and knew, or ought to have known, he shouldn’t have had it in a public place.

He admonished and dismissed the accused without any penalty but noted the conviction would appear on his record.