Threat lies land ‘ clown’ behind bars

Fake gun threats landed a Cumnock man a six- month stretch behind bars this week.

Iain Paton, 35, of Harperbank Grove in the town, told police that the father of his ex- girlfriend had threatened him with a pistol motion after a social work meeting.

But licensed gun owner Michael Smith was on the Isle of Skye at the time the threats were supposedly made – and his wife was forced to endure a terrifying visit from police officers as part of the investigation.

The procurator fiscal told the court it was “very unusual circumstances” that led to Paton’s appearance in the dock.

He said: “The accused and the witness’ daughter had been in a relationship which ended in December 2015.

“The witness, Michael Smith, attended a charity event to raise money for children, and on the May 25, Mr Smith was still in Skye when the accused had an appointment with his criminal justice social worker.

“He reported that Michael Smith had approached him with a pisol action outside his meeting.

“CCTV was obtained which showed this was clearly a fabriaction.”

Defence lawyer Steven Maxwell said: “He describes himself as a clown, and not a funny clown.

“This is not the type of behaviour, clown or otherwise, he wants to be involved in.”

Sheriff John Montgomery refused to take a lenient view of the crime and blasted Paton – who was previously convicted of assaulting his ex- girlfriend – for wasting police time with his hoax report.

He said: “I regard this as a serious matter with serious implications for the person involved.

“In my view, there’s no alternative to a custodial sentence.”

Paton was taken down to the cells to begin his six month sentence, reduced from eight months for his guilty plea, on Thursday morning.