OAP Fined for Pulling Knife on Love Rival

A jealous 75-year-old who pulled a knife on a love rival and told him "stay away from my girlfriend" has been fined £300.

Retired railway worker Peter Jones was upset when he saw 82-year-old John McCafferty and his ex partner in a pub together.

Having just bought a stanley knife in a shop next door, he pulled it out of his pocket to scare Mr McCafferty.

But the pair struggled after the blade was knocked from his hand and he grabbed hold of Mr McCafferty who went to pick it up.

First-offender Jones, from Lenzie pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to assault and possession of a knife on September 4, 2014.

He was arrested by police after the incident and spent a night in the cells for his actions before appearing in court the next day.

Sheriff Sam Cathcart told Jones: "I take into account that you have reached the age of 75 without any previous convictions.

"Despite the serious nature of these charges I will deal with this by means of a fine."

The court previously heard around 1.30pm, Mr McCafferty was with his partner in the Kirky Puffer pub in Kirkintilloch when he saw Jones looking at him through the window and shaking his head in a disapproving manner

Procurator fiscal depute Scot Dignan said: "He continued his drink and conversation with his partner however noticed that the accused was standing next to his table.

"On observing the accused he was aware that the accused was rattling something within his pocket as if searching for something.

"Jones removed his hand from his pocket and Mr McCafferty immediately observed him to be holding a black coloured stanley knife.

"Mr McCafferty grabbed Jones wrist which caused the knife to fall on to the floor and there was a struggle between the two elderly men.

"Jones fell on the floor and a member of bar staff shouted for the knife to be grabbed.

"When Mr McCafferty picked up he blade from the floor, Jones grabbed him by the genitals although the victim was able to hand the knife to staff."

Mr Dignan said the police were contacted and when they arrived took the knife, and CCTV from the pub which showed the incident.

The footage of the incident was played to the court.

Defence lawyer Melissa Rutherford said her client lives alone but has a number of grown up children who help him.

She said: "His wife passed away about 15 years ago and he had started a relationship that lasted approximately eight years.

"This relationship ended shortly before this incident on September 4, 2014."

Miss Rutherford said her client had bought the knife from a hardware shop next to the pub for work in his house then went to get a drink.

She added: "He noticed Mr McCafferty and his recent ex partner coming in to the pub, Mr McCafferty is a man that his ex partner left him for.

"He advises me that he was upset on seeing this."

The lawyer told the sheriff: "He uttered words along the lines of stay away from my girlfriend."

She added that Jones - who has since had a hip and knee replacement surgery - only intended to scare Mr McCafferty with the knife.