Glasgow man admits having syringes and knife in Campbeltown

A Glasgow man has been spared a jail sentence after failing to alert police to sharp objects in his rucksack, such as uncapped syringes and a knife.

Robert Peacock, of 53 Crossmill Avenue, Barrhead, admitted the offences when he appeared in Oban Sheriff Court on Monday January 13.

He pleaded guilty to exposing police to risk of injury and infection, as well as having a knife without reasonable excuse, and being in possession of drugs.

The incident itself occurred in Campbeltown on March 25 last year at round 11am after police received a call about a male near an ATM machine.

Peacock, 36, received a restriction of liberty order, meaning he will have to remain indoors from 7pm until 5am for nine months.

He was also given a community payback order, consisting of 200 hours of unpaid work, and social work supervision to last two years.

Procurator fiscal David Glancy told the court that officers arrived and found Peacock sitting on the pavement.

They asked the accused if there was anything in his possession that could cause injury, he said no, but when they searched him they found several uncapped syringes and a lock back knife.

Police also found drugs in his rucksack containing Methamphetamine, a class A drug, as well as a number of class C drugs, including Temazepam, Buprenorphine, and Etizolam.

In Peacock’s defence, his solicitor said the report submitted to the court was indicative of a man who was moving away from a criminal youth.

She stated he was working in Campbeltown and had travelled to the area with his boss in the morning.

After a disagreement, he left the job and went to the bank machine, sat on the pavement and went into his backpack of tools, when a member of the public phoned the police.

She stated he had the syringes as he was taking ‘speed and steroids’ to keep up with the rigour of the job and the knives were part of his tool kit.

Sheriff Patrick Hughes said: ‘These are extremely serious offences. By a narrow margin, I am persuaded that the court can impose an alternative to custody.’

The knives found in his rucksack were forfeited.

‘I am persuaded the court can impose an alternative to custody’