Knife carrying teenager narrowly escapes jail time
A 16-year-old boy threatened to stab a supermarket staff member and then had to be disarmed in a racist altercation with a stranger on a bicycle.
The incidents happened in Fort William on July 9, 2021, beginning at the Morrison's premises where the teenager was refused entry.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that Grant MacPhee, now aged 18, of Angus Crescent, Upper Achintore, was drunk and with a friend when he tried to enter.
Fiscal depute Pauline Gair said: "He was denied entry and began shouting and swearing at the member of staff, making threats.
"He said: 'I am going to stab you in your stab proof vest. I will kill you. No one is allowed to tell me I am not allowed in.'
"Police were contacted but MacPhee and the other teenager left. The incident was captured on CCTV.
"An hour later, he took hold of the handlebars of an unknown man's bike and asked where he was from? The man replied: 'Scotland.' MacPhee said: ' No you are not. You are English. Get out of my country.'
"Two teenage witnesses who were nearby were then approached and he threatened to batter them and said he was 'good at boxing'.
"He lifted his jacket and they saw a knife in his possession. Another witness knocked it out of his possession and it was then thrown into the water."
The prosecutor added that police were alerted and when officer asked for MacPhee's details he began to walk away.
"When challenged, he began to resist and struck an officer in the face," continued Mrs Gair.
"While being placed in the police vehicle, he thrashed out with his legs, throwing his head backwards and striking another officer in the face. Then he spat on him.
"Further police assistance had to be called."
Defence solicitor David Fisken told Sheriff Sara Matheson: "He is a young man who has not had his troubles to seek over his young life.
"He was extremely intoxicated and although not an excuse, it is an explanation. He does not particularly remember these offences but he does regret his conduct."
MacPhee pleaded guilty to two charges of threatening behaviour, possession of a knife in a public place, resisting arrest and assault to injury.
He was sentenced to 210 hours of unpaid community work and two years of social work supervision.
However Sheriff Matheson warned him if he did not fully cooperate, then a custodial sentence was likely.
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