Violent thug given extended sentence

A thug with a long criminal record for violent offences was this week jailed for four years with an additional four years’ supervision on his release.

Scott Hutchison had repeatedly uttered threats of violence towards Christopher Sinclair, a fellow resident of homeless accommodation in Stirling’s Springkerse House, and brandished a knife, on December 4 last year.

The 42-year-old had also repeatedly tried to enter a room in Springkerse House and shouted and swore before pouring water from a kettle on the door of the room and under the door.

Hutchison, whose address was given as Low Moss Prison, Bishopbriggs, at a previous court appearance had admitted a charges of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner at Springkerse House and having an article which had a blade or was sharply pointed – both while on bail on another matter.

The threatening and abusive behaviour charge had been amended to remove mention of Hutchison threatening to set fire to the door, fighting with Mr Sinclair, and damaging walls with the knife.

When he appeared for sentence at Stirling Sheriff Court on Wednesday his agent told Sheriff Wyllie Robertson that his client appreciated he was facing a custodial sentence.

The report prepared for the court to examine post-release supervision, the lawyer said, showed that Hutchison“on some level recognised the impact and consequences of his actions on his victim.”And the offence, he added, had been“very much alcohol induced.”

Sheriff Robertson told Hutchison:“The problem I have – and the problem you have – is that your record shows repeated convictions for serious violence.

“That includes High Court level assault to severe injury, permanent impairment and danger of life.

“I also observe that more recently you have several convictions for s49 (having an article with a blade) analogous offences to the second charge to which you have pleaded guilty.

“In the light of that record and the circumstances of this offence, which clearly reflects your habitual preference to resort to knives to resolve issues, the only appropriate sentence is an extended sentence.

“That results in the need for maximum supervision.

“That’s reported in the social work report before me.”

Sheriff Robertson sentenced Hutchison to an extended sentence of eight years on the charge of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner while on bail, comprising the custodial term of four years and four years supervision.

Three months of the custodial term was attributed to the bail aggravation.

Hutchison was also sentenced to three years and four months’ imprisonment on the charge of having the knife – of which three months was attributed to the bail aggravation.

The term was reduced from four years and four months.

The sentences were concurrent and backdated to December 5 when Hutchison was first remanded in custody.