Man waved knife next to public park

A Motherwell man who waved a knife in the air next to a public park full of kids before cutting his neck has been spared prison.

Dean Battersby, 27, rocked up at his ex-partner’s home on May 19 this year in a desperate bid to see his son.

After being refused that opportunity, he caused chaos on Chapelhall’s Darroch Street by yelling at his former partner and various witnesses over a public park full of children.

Battersby, of Knowe Crescent, then produced the knife which gave his former lover grave cause for concern, as explained by the procurator fiscal who said:“the accused’s ex-partner had been in a six-and-a-half year relationship with him and they have one child together.

“There were a number of children playing in the street at the time of the offence around 11.30am on a Sunday morning.

“The complainer told the accused to drop the knife and he threw it on the ground.

“The accused left the locus but was followed by her to keep an eye on him.

“He told her he‘still loved her’and had tried to kill himself after they broke up.

“He then grabbed the knife and held it to side of his neck and cut himself, drawing blood.

“This shocked the witness and she ran away.

“Police apprehended him nearby and he was detained for a search and no knife was located on him.

“He was arrested and taken to Coatbridge Police Office where he replied ‘nah’to all charges.”

Defence solicitor John Mcgeechan told the court Battersby claimed problems had arisen due to an alleged lack of access towards his child.

Mr Mcgeechan said:“his problem was that he wasn’t getting any contact with his son for creating dramas like this.

“He had been drinking tonic wine and carried out this silly behaviour.”

Sheriff Frank Pieri interrupted:“i wouldn’t categorise this as‘silly behaviour’, he’s in custodial sentence territory here.”

Mcgeechan admitted he had “understated it”before Pieri, addressing Battersby, continued:“if you go around doing this you can expect a custodial sentence.

“Given your lack of offending prior to this I’m prepared to deal with you on a community payback order.

“I’ll place you under supervision for 18 months and this will include addiction counselling.

“You’ll also carry out 180 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months.”