Drunk man held knife to own chest

A man who climbed up a drainpipe to get into his partner’s flat then held a blade against his own chest, has appeared at Oban Sheriff Court (pictured).

Duncan Lawson, 40, of 5 Coe Gardens, Oban, was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid community work within 12 months, be under the supervision of the social work department for one year and was also banned for a further 12 months from entering Longsdale Terrace in Oban.

The former fishing boat skipper ‘never had any intention of causing harm to anyone’ said his solicitor Kevin

McGuinness. The court heard Lawson and his then partner had both been drinking in Oban pubs on September 15 this year but appeared to have fallen out.

She went home later that night and had been watching TV when she became aware that Lawson was in her room. He had climbed up the drainpipe, on to her balcony and came through the door.

He started shouting and swearing, demanding she give him alcohol.

He then took several cans of lager into the kitchen and got a knife.

Lawson held the three-inch blade to his own chest, shouting: ‘It’s all your fault. You’re getting it too.’

He then went back onto the balcony with the lager and knife and his partner took the opportunity to shut the door, trapping him outside.

The police were called and when officers arrived it took two hours to get him to safety.

Mr McGuiness said Lawson was heavily under the influence of alcohol at the time and was ‘deeply embarrassed and appalled’ by his behaviour.

He added: ‘It’s not something he’s proud of, that the community knows about this and has been talking about it.’

Lawson, who previously admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, expressed gratitude to the police that the incident came to an end without any harm.

Sheriff Patrick Hughes told Lawson if he did not follow the orders made, they would be revoked and he would have to serve a custodial sentence.