The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Teenager in knife chase on esplanade
Ateenager who chased a 15-yearold boy on Kirkcaldy esplanade while holding a large kitchen knife has been given a custodial sentence.
In separate incidents Dylan Barclay racially abused shop workers and spat on police officers.
Barclay, 18, appeared for sentencing at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court by video link from prison after earlier pleading guilty to multiple charges of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner. Sheriff James Williamson handed him a 22-month sentence.
Prosecutor Lee Corr told the court the 15-year-old was out with friends at around 7pm on June 20 2022 and was approached by Barclay – then aged 16 – and another male.
There was an altercation and Barclay lifted up his top, revealing a knife tucked in his waistband. The boy ran away.
The fiscal depute said: “The accused then chased (him) along the road while holding a large knife in his hand. This was seen by another witness who was walking on the esplanade.”
The boy ran into a restaurant and police were called. There was mobile phone footage of Barclay with the knife, which was found in a gutter near where he was traced.
The court heard that on August 27 last year, Barclay directed racially aggravated abuse towards two shop workers at Greens of Kirkcaldy on St Clair Street.
He was approached by staff concerned about his aggressive behaviour in the store and he started shouting and swearing at them so was taken to a stock room to await police.
The fiscal depute said: “He was taken to police custody. Whilst in the back of the police vehicle he stated: ‘Aye, I did call him a black b ****** .’”
On October 9 last year he struck the back light of a vehicle and threw stones at it and made violent threats towards two people at Kirkcaldy’s Victoria Hospital and nearby roads.
On the same date at Kirkcaldy police station, he assaulted three police officers by spitting on their faces.
And on May 30 last year,
he acted in an aggressive manner, shouted, swore and made violent threats towards a neighbour and repeatedly kicked a door to his property in Stratheden Place, Auchtermuchty.
Barclay’s defence lawyer said her client, formerly of Erskine Court, Methil, had a troubled childhood and was dealing with drug and mental health issues.