News / Man jailed after threats to ‘slice’ and ‘stab’
A MAN from Lerwick who threatened to “slice the cheeks off” two people while holding a screwdriver has been jailed for nine months.
At Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday, procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said John Hutcheson, of South Lochside, acted in a “deeply unpleasant” manner that caused terror for the young people who were involved.
The 25 year old previously admitted repeatedly shouting and swearing, behaving in an aggressive manner, uttering offensive remarks and demanding controlled substances be given to him at addresses in Lerwick’s St Olaf Street and St Magnus Street on 25 May.
He thereafter returned and uttered threats of violence while in possession of a screwdriver and a hammer.
Hutcheson also admitted assaulting two girls – then aged 15 and 16 – at the St Olaf St property on the same day by throwing milk, which struck them on the head and body.
At St Magnus Street on 26 May, Hutcheson resisted, obstructed or hindered two police constables, struggled with them and escaped from lawful detention.
The fiscal said Hutcheson attended a house at around 6.45pm looking for drugs, but it was “clearly” the wrong address.
Youngsters inside the property at the time said the man Hutcheson was looking for wasn’t there. He told them he would be back in half and hour and asked them to get him some “grass”.
He later came back to the property with another individual, and then started shouting. A 15-year-old girl attempted to “pacify” Hutcheson, but he responded by calling her a “slag”.
The girl said she would call the police, but Hutcheson picked up a two-litre carton of milk, unscrewed it and threw its contents over her and another girl.
Some of the people in the house ran out, but Hutcheson told those remaining that he would “slice” them if they spoke about what happened.
Hutcheson then left, but returned holding a screwdriver, while a hammer was protruding from his waistband.
He threatened two people by telling them he would “stab them in the eyes” and “slice their cheeks off”.
After 20 minutes, Hutcheson fell asleep on a couch while still holding the items, leaving the occupants too scared to leave in case he awoke.
Someone else turned up and persuaded Hutcheson to leave, before the matter was reported to police.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client was “disgusted” with his behaviour, which he “cannot deny would be a frightening experience” for those involved – despite his poor recollection of what happened.
Drugs were still a part of Hutcheson’s life at the time of the incident, Allan added, but he is now off substances.
“When he is clean and sober he can make a positive contribution to those around him,” the solicitor said.
Sheriff Philip Mann told Hutcheson that his offences were “very serious” and “no doubt very frightening” for the young people involved.
He said that the incident occurred the very day the 25 year old had received a community payback order from the court.
Hutcheson walked out of court that day “having no regard for the authority” of the justice system.
Sheriff Mann jailed him for nine months, backdated to 27 May when he first entered custody.
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