Thug jailed for carrying knives in disturbance

Two men have admitted having weapons during a street disturbance in Wishaw.

Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that they armed themselves after someone smashed a window.

Joshua Thomson, 27, of Cornelia Street, Motherwell, was jailed for 14 months.

He admitted carrying two knives in Glencleland Road, Craigneuk, on September 15, 2020.

Ryan Johnstone, 22, of Brown Street, Carluke, escaped with a community payback order after he admitted possession of a scythe.

Their not guilty pleas to a charge of approaching a group of individuals while brandishing the weapons were accepted.

The incident was captured by CCTV cameras.

The court heard a window was broken at the home of one of Thomson’s friends, prompting both accused to take up arms.

Nicky Matteo, defending Johnstone, said his client has no previous convictions and works full time.

He has a“supportive” family background and the solicitor suggested an alternative to prison could be imposed.

Mr Matteo stated:“His actions were foolish. He didn’t think the situation through.”

Eddie Robertson, for Thomson, formerly of Myrtle Drive, Wishaw, said the accused had been drinking and his memory of events was“nonexistent”.

The solicitor added:“He got himself involved in something that was nothing to do with him. Fortunately, there were no injuries.”

Sheriff Colin Dunipace described the case as “extremely serious”, adding:“It’s of great concern that you both armed yourselves and went outside.

“The streets must be protected from people acting in this way.”

The sheriff told Johnstone:“You are a young man with no previous convictions, so there is an alternative to custody.

“If you breach this community payback order you are looking at a significant sentence.”

Johnstone will be supervised for a year and must do 200 hours of unpaid community work.

He will also be electronically tagged for three months, meaning he’s confined to his home between 7pm and 7am each day.

Jailing Thomson, Sheriff Dunipace said:“You have a bad record for crimes of violence and this is not the first time you have carried a knife.”