Man brandished knife at strangers and attacked officers

A 20-year-old man who brandished a knife at a Kirkcaldy chip shop and later attacked police at Victoria Hospital has avoided jail at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

Derry McGarrell, of Den Walk, Methil, previously admitted a series of offences which took place on June 23.

At Valentinos, Dunearn Drive, Kirkcaldy, and elsewhere, he repeatedly made offensive remarks, shouted, brandished a knife at members of the public, threatened to cut himself with the knife and made threats of violence. He also admitted being in possession of the knife.

Later, at the Victoria Hospital’s A&E department he assaulted police constables Alan Smith and Craig Aitken, shouted and swore, made offensive and homophobic remarks and made threats of violence towards police officers.

Solicitor Scott McKenzie said his client had been assaulted by youths outside Templehall Community Centre after 9pm and armed himself with a knife to defend himself.

Sheriff Craig McSherry said he had intended to impose a 32-month prison sentence but had changed his mind because of a positive social work report.

He imposed a community payback order with 12 months’ supervision and a six-month restriction of liberty order to be reviewed on August 1 when further unpaid work may be added.