Knife threat man gets‘chance’

A serial offender who threatened police officers with knives has been given a chance to turn his life around.

Mark Langford, 28, appeared from custody at Hamilton Sheriff Court last week.

He admitted threatening or abusive behaviour at his dad’s home in Laurel Drive, Craigneuk, on April 6, while on bail.

He had been freed from jail only five days earlier.

The court heard Langford was being noisy and caused his dad to get out of bed in the early hours.

He was seen to grab a small kitchen knife and draw it across his own cheek, causing a small cut.

Jennifer McCabe, prosecuting, stated:“His father locked himself in his bedroom and called the police.

“The accused then picked up two larger knives from the kitchen, went into the garden and shouted‘See what the police will get when they come here’.

“Officers arrived and saw Langford armed with the knives.

“He began to gesture towards the police vehicles.

“He was instructed to drop the knives and after several minutes he did so.”

Defence agent Stephen MacBride said Langford had been told efforts wouldbemadetofindahouseforhim on his release from prison.

The lawyer stated:“Unfortunately, there was no social work involvement and it was left to his father to help him to the best of his ability.

“My client has been struggling with his mental health.”

After studying background reports, Sheriff Alasdair MacFadyen agreed to put Langford under supervision for three years instead of imposing another prison sentence.

During that time he must attend addiction services