Court / Prison for secateurs man

CARRYING “offensive weapons” earned a repeat offender a 10 month prison sentence at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday.

Scott Anderson, 29, earlier admitted carrying a secateurs and a Swiss army style knife. He had been remanded in custody since 15 February when he first appeared in court.

Anderson, who had been convicted of stabbing someone with a knife in 2013, had been stopped by police at Hoofields on 14 February after receiving a report from the public of a man acting suspiciously.

A search revealed that Anderson had garden secateurs and Swiss army style “multi tool” on him.

Anderson, whose address was given in court as Grampian Prison, told police that the secateurs were for protection as he had been “beaten up this week.”

At the police station he said that the multi tool was for opening bottles and cutting his nails.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said: “He went on to explain that he had a lot of people after him. He clearly has an extensive record.”

Defence agent Tommy Allan said they were not offensive weapons “per se” but there was no excuse for Anderson having them at that time of night.

The “weapons” were forfeited and Anderson was sentenced to 10 months in prison reduced from 15 to reflect the early stage of his plea. The term was backdated to 15 February.