Court / Supervision for man who brandished knife at police officers during arrest
A MAN who brandished a kitchen knife in an arrest previously described as being “extremely violent and generally terrifying” has avoided a prison sentence.
David Mark Sherwood had previously admitted assaulting a police constable and holding a knife when four officers arrived to arrest him at his Mossbank home on 27 September 2023.
The court heard last month Sherwood had initially been compliant and calm, before the 57-year-old grabbed a “very large kitchen knife” and raised it above his head.
One police constable grabbed his left arm, which was holding the knife, as Sherwood exerted “considerable downward pressure” towards the man.
It took all four police officers to eventually get the knife out of Sherwood’s hands, with one having to punch him in the head due to fear he would stab the constable.
Sherwood pleaded guilty to brandishing a knife at a police officer and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner during the incident.
It was described as a “extremely violent and generally terrifying” incident, with the police believing “that the police constable was about to be stabbed”.
“It’s difficult to properly convey just how dangerous a situation this was for the police officers,” procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie had previously said.
“It’s a matter of good fortune that nobody sustained any serious injuries in this incident.”
Sentence had been deferred for the preparation of background reports, with Sherwood returning for sentencing today (Wednesday).
Defence agent Tommy Allan said the report showed the “level of remorse” Sherwood felt about the incident.
He said the social work report gave context to the way Sherwood had acted in the way that he had.
While he said this was a “clearly very serious offence”, Allan added this was “quite a complex case” with a difficult background.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said he had previously felt that the matter would have to be dealt with by way of a custodial sentence, given the “worrying” narrative provided.
But he said he had to take “very careful account” of what was presented in the social work report.
He said it was “probably right” that it was not read out in court, but added that it was still important to his overall sentencing decision.
Sheriff Cruickshank placed Sherwood under supervision for a period of two years as a direct alternative to a custodial sentence.
He also imposed a restriction of liberty order, which means Sherwood must remain at home between 8pm and 7am every day for the next nine months.
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