Court hears teen armed with large kitchen knife attempted to stab have-a-go hero who tackled him to the ground
A court’s today heard a 20-year-old man behaving in "an irate manner" while armed with a large kitchen knife, as children were making their way home from school in the Borders, attempted to stab a have-a-go hero who tackled him to the ground.
Jedburgh Sheriff Court was told Alfie MacLachlan - who gave an address in Falkirk - ended up cutting the man a number of times during the struggle.
The dramatic scenes unfolded in Hawick's Wilson Drive on August the 17th last year.
The court heard a number of members of the public - who heard MacLachlan shouting - were "troubled" by what they saw.
One woman put her children in the car and reversed away from the scene.
MacLachlan turned and approached another with children - and was described as "swinging the knife in their direction".
The man got the youngsters out the way before tackling the then teenager to the ground.
Drew Long, prosecuting, said: "He (MacLachlan) has attempted to stab (his victim) but was unable to do so." But he added: "He was cut a number of times."
Police were called and caught up with MacLachlan shortly after. He apologised to officers and claimed he had the knife because he was scared for his own safety.
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MacLachlan's solicitor said her client had drunk a bottle of rum and had taken some paracetamol.
He admitted charges of assault to injury and possession of an offensive weapon.
Sheriff Peter Paterson said the offences met the threshold of a custodial sentence, but noted his age at the time.
MacLachlan was instead given a 15-month supervision order as a direct alternative to prison - to help him address his substance misuse; and a ten-month home curfew, which means he must remain at home between the hours of 7pm and 7am.
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