Lanarkshire man threatened to 'kill' Scottish Power staff over bill dispute

A Lanarkshire man turned up to dispute his Scottish Power account with an axe in his backpack and threatened to kill people.

Russell Kyle, 37, hung the phone up on an employee of the company after telling them he was going to their offices.

He grabbed his backpack with an axe inside it and made his way to the building at Spean Street in August last year.

Russell tried to get by security claiming he had an appointment and shouted “I’m going to go through those glass doors and kill people”.

He also shouted he would return and “wreak havoc”.

Russell, from Wishaw, pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to having the axe with him at the Scottish Power building in the city’s south side.

The court heard Russell had been having problems with the firm and his account over payments he thought were incorrect because he has a pre-pay meter.

A friend was speaking to Scottish Power and Russell took the phone from them and told the member of staff he was going to their offices.

Procurator fiscal depute Andy Lazzarin said: “The accused Kyle hung up the phone and then took his backpack and left his friend’s home.

“The witness checked to see if an axe had been removed from her property and discovered that the axe had been taken by the accused."

Around 7.15pm Kyle arrived at the locked front door of the Scottish Power building and buzzed the intercom to speak to security staff.

He was let into the reception area and claimed he had an appointment with customer services although was told to come back because nobody was around to help.

Mr Lazzarin added that Kyle refused to leave despite several requests and a security supervisor was contacted for help.

He said: “The accused then stated ‘I’m going to go through those glass doors and start killing people.’”

Kyle was told the building was empty and replied “I will just come back tomorrow and wreak havoc”.

Despite being warned the police would be called if he didn’t leave, Kyle refused to go and said he wanted to speak to someone about his account.

Police arrived and Kyle said he would “kill someone” and “If you come near me I’m taking you out.”

He kicked his rucksack towards police and an axe was found inside.

The court heard that because of his demeanour fast straps were applied but later removed and he was taken to Pollok police office.

Sheriff Martin Jones QC deferred sentence until next months for reports.