Order having impact

A man who dodged jail after he threatened to slit the throat of the duty manager at a Salvation Army hostel with a machete is responding well to his community-based sentence.

In a separate incident, 36 year-old Michael McNeilage, of Kincardine Road, Crieff, was caught with a kitchen knife in Coupar Angus.

Despite his“appalling record,”he was spared a prison term at Perth Sheriff Court.

Instead, Sheriff William Wood ordered him to be supervised for two years as part of a Community Payback Order on the threats charge.

He was also told to take part in drug treatment during that time.

At the latest review of his progress, solicitor Paul Ralph said:“He’s doing well, particularly because of the structures in place.”

The accused admitted adopting an aggressive manner towards Shona Stewart at the hostel in Perth’s Skinnergate on November 17, 2019, by shouting and swearing and making violent threats.

Depute fiscal Bill Kermode said Perth city centre was busy when Ms Stewart started her shift at 2pm.

“Staff told her the accused had been a nuisance during the day and was no longer welcome.”

But he was seen“loitering”outside the main entrance at 4.40pm and went in a few minutes later.

He claimed he had been allowed by police to return and collect his belongings.

The fiscal said:“She said he wasn’t permitted in the centre and to return the following day to pick up his goods.

“The accused was annoyed by that and became aggressive.”

He shouted:“You f***ing bitch – I’ll get a machete and come back and slit your f***ing throat.”

The fiscal added:“She was alarmed by that and called the police”

He was traced in the High Street just before 5.30pm and when cautioned and charged, replied: “That never came out of my mouth.”

The court was told that the accused had“no memory”of what had taken place.

“He certainly shouldn’t have behaved in the way he did and can only express his regret,”the fiscal went on.

Sheriff Wood acknowledged that McNeilage had made a“shaky start” to the order.

But he added:“You then settled into this order fairly well.

“You have been engaging with a men’s group, which seems to be supportive, and you seem to be getting some benefit from it.”

The sheriff agreed to defer sentence until April 19 when a further check will be made on his progress.

Sentence on the knife charge – he admitted having a kitchen knife in Murray’s Court in Coupar Angus on May 1, 2020 – was deferred to the same date.

The blade was previously ordered to be forfeited.

McNeilage had his bail continued.