An Aberdeen man has been jailed after brandishing a large kitchen knife at a neighbour following an evening of drinking over the festive period.
Steven Bell, who appeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday, concealed the weapon under his clothing before heading out on December 27, 2017.
The court heard that the 43-year-old, who lives on Provost Graham Avenue in Hazlehead, had gone to visit a neighbour before things took a turn for the worse.
Sheriff Ian Wallace said: “You took a large kitchen knife, concealed under your clothing, to a neighbour’s flat.
“Inevitably, after alcohol had been drunk, there was an argument and you produced this very large knife.”
He added: “The dangers of carrying knives are clear and it is fortunate that the consequences of this were not much worse.”
The court heard that Bell had “numerous” previous convictions for violence, including an assault where he was locked up for 18 months.
Sheriff Wallace was told that Bell had “shown a clear change in character and attitude” since the incident but decided to impose the “maximum possible” sentence for the crime of 12 months behind bars.
He said: “You have turned your life around to some extent but there is no other method of disposal.”
