A CLYDEBANK man who brandished a knife during a fight in broad daylight has avoided jail.

Stephen Kearney brought out the weapon after a feud with another man boiled over.

The 43-year-old previously pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting, swearing, engaging in a fight and brandishing the knife. Kearney, of Newshot Court, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week for sentencing.

Jeanette Maclean, fiscal depute, told the court the incident took place at 12.15pm on January 26 this year.

Kearney was at the West Dunbartonshire Youth Trust building on Dumbarton Road, along with another man and two employees. The two men were seeking help for their addiction issues.

Mrs Maclean said: “There had been an underlying feud between the two men.

“While they were on the premises, there was an altercation between them. The accused was pulled away from the man by the witness.

“The accused appeared upset. He was advised to go to the toilet to clean himself up.” Both men left the building and a short time later, the two employees were walking on Dumbarton Road.

The court heard they saw Kearney and the other man throwing punches at each other.

Ms Maclean continued: “The accused had what appeared to be a small, black knife and appeared to be making slashing motions to the other man.

“The witness pulled the accused from the other male. He ran across the road and hid behind a nearby motor vehicle.

“Police were contacted and attended. Neither were cautioned and charged because of their state of agitation and aggression.” Bert Thomson, defending, told the court his client was already serving a prison sentence and was due to be released on October 6.

The lawyer said Kearney’s take on events was slightly different to that given by the fiscal, adding that it did not make up for his behaviour in any way.

Mr Thompson said: “He was outside in the smoking area. The other male was the initial aggressor.

“He attacked Mr Kearney, headbutting him. There then followed a fight where he felt he was defending himself from the male’s attack.

“Whatever the circumstances, he accepts his behaviour is not acceptable.” Sheriff Craig Turnbull said he acknowledged Kearney had not started the fight and ordered him to carry out 225 hours of unpaid work in seven months.

Kearney was placed under supervision for two years and will return to court for a review of his order on December 17.