TWO Clydebank men who were found wielding weapons during a disturbance at a block of flats in the town just hours after the New Year “bells” have been locked up – after a sheriff revealed they both had previous convictions for similar offences.

James Donaldson and Kenneth Little were sentenced on April 18 after pleading guilty to charges arising out of an incident in Duncombe View in North Drumry on January 1, 2018.

Donaldson, 48, of Duncombe View, had admitted being in possession of a golf club, while 40-year-old Little, of Granville Street, had pleaded guilty to having a knife in a public place.

At Dumbarton Sheriff Court last Thursday, Sheriff Simon Pender told the pair: “I take account of all the circumstances, including the factor that another person was causing trouble.

“But that does not excuse you going into a public area with a knife – or a golf club. The correct course of action would have been to go inside the house, lock the door and call the police.”

Referring to the legislation which covers the possession of bladed items and other offensive weapons in public places in Scotland, Sheriff Pender told Donaldson: “You have an extremely bad record, which includes previous convictions for sections 47 and 49 of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act, including possession of a golf club in a public place.

The sheriff added: “Kenneth Little, you also have a very bad record.

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“There has been a significant gap since you were last convicted, but you have convictions for assault and carrying an offensive weapon.”

A further charge against Little, accusing him of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by uttering threats at Clydebank police office following the incident, was dropped after prosecutors accepted his plea of not guilty.

Donaldson was jailed for nine months, and Little was ordered to be serve six.