by Craig Borland

A DALMUIR man found carrying a knife in a street told police he “wanted to harm someone” because his “life was falling apart”.

Scott Agnew was seen by members of the public carrying the blade in Janetta Street at 6pm on April 28.

He told police of his intentions after they detained him and then found a small silver-handled kitchen knife in the pocket of his jeans.

Agnew, 46, had admitted the offence when he appeared in court the day after the incident.

He was released on bail after that appearance, but he then made his position much worse by putting his estranged wife in a state of fear and alarm outside her home in July.

Agnew appeared in court for sentencing on September 15, when prosecutor Emma Thomson said he had been banging on the door of the house, shouting “open the door, you c***” and causing his ex-wife to panic”.

She told the court: “The accused continued to shout and swear, and then made his way to a grassy area where he sat looking into the woman’s living room, causing her to feel extremely intimidated.

“Police saw the accused sitting on the grass, where he appeared intoxicated – there was a strong smell of alcohol.

“There were several children in a playing area nearby and the police asked him to desist, but he did not take heed.”

Miss Thomson said the Crown was seeking a non-harassment order preventing Agnew from approaching, contacting or communicating with his ex and from entering the street where she lives.

Roddy Boag, defending, said there was “just enough” in a background report on Agnew to save him a prison sentence.

“It’s a fairly recent combination of circumstances that have caused him to take to the drink,” Mr Boag told the court.

“On the non-harassment order, his attitude is ‘she’s quite right, my behaviour was out of order’.”

Sheriff William Gallacher said Agnew’s comments when he was found with the knife in April were “terrifying”.

He said: “The fact he was apprehended without difficulty, and was clearly seen by a number of people before he was apprehended, suggests to me it was just a piece of drunken stupidity that caused him to say it, rather than any genuinely serious threat.”

Turning to address Agnew, the sheriff said: “I’m very, very concerned about your position with this weapon.

“And then, having been put in a position of trust by the court, you offend again.”

Agnew, of Overtoun Court, was given an 18-month supervision order and told to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work within nine months.

He was also ordered not to approach his ex-wife or to go within 200 metres of her home for three years.

The sheriff also fixed a review of the order for November 24.

He said: “I expect to read a report that says you are fully complying.”