A Dingwall man who admitted his third offence of illegal possession of a knife was sentenced to 150 hours unpaid work and 18 months social work supervision yesterday
Inverness Sheriff Court had earlier been told that police were called to Dingwall High Street on June 10 and a man who was well-known to police was found in the vicinity of Liam MaGuire’s house.
Depute fiscal Roderick Urquhart said officers could see MaGuire, 48, through the living room window.
“The other man referred to MaGuire having had a knife but refused to make a statement.” Mr Urquhart went on.
Following further calls the other man was found shouting and swearing in the street and was arrested.
Then two independent witness came forward and said they saw MaGuire and the man fighting in the street earlier and MaGuire was in possession of a kitchen knife about nine inches long.
MaGuire was detained and he told police: “He’s been bullying me for a long time. I’m sorry; I hear voices; it’s not my fault. He calls me a bam.”
The fiscal said a subsequent psychiatric assessment concluded MaGuire was sane and fit to plead.
“The psychiatrist seemed to accepted MaGuire heard voices but was of the opinion he was not having auditory hallucinations ‘related in any way to mental illness as distinct from intense thoughts he might experience himself’.
MaGuire had been remanded in custody for more than four months waiting to be dealt with.
His solicitor John MacColl said his client’s two previous convictions for possession of a knife were with the intention of self-harm.
But Sheriff Margaret Neilson warned MaGuire that he could face jail if he appears on another similar charge.
