Man threatened to slash woman and baby after drink-drug binge

COURT: Sheriff’s jail warning to accused after terrifying incident in Blairgowrie

A woman and baby were subjected to terrifying knife threats by a man rendered near insensible by a day spent consuming alcohol and illicit substances.

Robbie Johnston could face a prison sentence after threatening to “slash” them during the aftermath of a 12-hour binge.

The 27-year-old grounds worker had planned to help a friend move house before enjoying a quiet day off, but instead indulged himself.

Perth Sheriff Court heard he had turned up at his victim’s home in Blairgowrie at around 9pm in a foul mood and clearly heavily under the influence.

He began shouting and swearing and then threatened to slash the woman and a baby before leaving the house.

The door was locked behind him to prevent him from gaining entry again, but he was later allowed back in after appearing to have calmed down and willing to apologise.

Within minutes, however, he had kicked off again and the terrified woman was forced to call the police.

Officers found her to be in “a distressed state” when they arrived to investigate.

Solicitor Pauline Cullerton said: “Mr Johnston had gone to help a friend move house but had then taken alcohol and illicit substances.

“He now fully appreciates that this was not a good mix.

“He has very little recollection of what happened, given his state of intoxication, but accepts he was responsible for all that happened.

“Since this incident, he has taken no alcohol nor illicit substances and hopes to secure help for his alcohol problems. “This has been a wake-up call for him.” Johnston, of Isla Court, Alyth, admitted behaving in a threatening and abusive manner at an address in Blairgowrie on May 13, shouting and swearing at a woman and threatening her and a baby with violence.

During interviews with social workers, Johnston claimed to be working with Tayside Council on Alcohol, only for Sheriff William Wood to be told he had yet to make contact.

The sheriff told him: “That is misleading the court. I am not impressed.

“You need to sort out your problems otherwise the only solution may be jail.”

Sentence was deferred until August 18.

He has very little recollection of what happened, given his state of intoxication, but accepts he was responsible for all that happened. PAULINE CULLERTON SOLICITOR