Knife-carrying thug jailed

A Lanarkshire thug who once faced a murder charge is back in prison after he was caught carrying a knife.

Alan Dunion was one of three men accused of killing Philip Mcmillan, who was stabbed to death in Holytown three years ago over a drug debt.

Dunion’s not guilty plea to the murder charge was accepted, but he was jailed for a year at the High Court in Glasgow when he admitted carrying a knife on the night of the killing.

Dunion, 26, has now appeared from custody via video link at Airdrie Sheriff Court.

He admitted possession of a knife and cocaine in East Muiryhall Street, Coatbridge, on October 6 last year. The court heard police officers stopped to speak to Dunion and two associates around 4.15pm.

Lauren Cole, prosecuting, said: “Dunion was fidgeting with his pocket and was advised he would be searched.

“At that point a knife fell from the pocket of his trousers. He was also found to have two bags of cocaine, worth about £900 in total.”

Defence agent Mark Lutton said Dunion was working as an insulation fitter at the time and the blade was a tool he used in his job.

The lawyer stated: “He wasn’t required to take the knife home with him, but forgot he still had it in his clothing.”

Mr Lutton referred to a facial scar Dunion bears after he was slashed by Mr Mcmillan moments before the latter was stabbed to death.

He added: “This is a serious matter. My client has a scar on his face and is aware of what can happen with knives.”

Sheriff Petra Collins jailed Dunion for 10 months, backdated as he has been in custody since October 7.

In the High Court case, former soldier Liam Donnelly, 27, admitted the culpable homicide of Mr Mcmillan and was jailed for eight years.

He, Dunion and another man had gone to confront Mr Mcmillan, who was demanding £40 for supplying diazepam.

Mr Mcmillan, 26, slashed Dunion on the face with a knife and within seconds Donnelly stabbed Mr Mcmillan through the heart.

Dunion, the court heard, required 15 stitches in a six-inch wound, but the other man could not be saved.