Man jailed for swinging knife at stranger while intoxicated

A man who swung a 12-inch kitchen knife at a stranger in Coupar Angus has been jailed for 20 months.

Perth Sheriff Court was told Ewan Grant, 27, was so intoxicated after taking a combination of alcohol and drugs that he could not remember the incident when he woke up in a police cell.

The depute fiscal told the court Grant had been seen leaning against a fence by his victim, who thought he was under the influence of alcohol.

“The complainer asked the accused to leave the area but Grant became aggressive and started shouting and swearing at the man,” the fiscal said.

Shortly after, Grant was seen taking a knife from the waistband of his trousers.

“The complainer was around five metres away but the accused swung the knife to the left and right, in a slashing motion,” the fiscal added.

“A female neighbour saw the accused and thought he looked heavily intoxicated.”

The court heard the weapon was described as a 12-inch-long kitchen knife.

Solicitor Pauline Cullerton said Grant had taken a “quantity” of alcohol, along with some illicit drugs.

“That combination played its part in this incident,” she added.

“My client has no recollection of this at all.

“All he remembers is waking up in the police cell.”

Grant, whose address was given as c/o Perth Prison, admitted brandishing a knife and repeatedly attempting to strike a man on the head and body with it on October 21 last year in Strathmore Avenue, Coupar Angus.

He also admitted that he shouted and uttered threats of violence.