Accused admits knife possession but was free to leave the dock at Wick

A THURSO man has been cleared of a knife assault. However, Scott Lindsay admitted being in posssession of a knife and was sentenced to five months imprisonment which, backdated to his arrest and remand, meant he was free to leave the dock at Wick Sheriff Court, today.
Lindsay, 39, had initially denied both offences on indictment but the charges were reduced to summary or lower level.
The significant plea changes came yesterday, on the second day of the trial before a jury, after the fifth witness had given evidence.
Darren Bruce, on June 3, at the entrance to a block of flats, St John's House, Stainland Drive, Thurso, punched him repeatedly and repeatedly stabbed him.
The court was told that police who arrived at the scene, found Lindsay, who lives in one of the flats, standing with the knife in his hand. He was told to drop it and complied, immediately, said Mr Barclay.
Defence solicitor George Mathers maintained that Lindsay was the victim in the case. He had been enjoying a quiet afternoon at home, when a man forced his way in and demanded some of the medication the accused takes under a mental health programme. Later his front door was kicked in and, said Mr Mathers, Lindsay, fearing he was in danger, picked up a kitchen knife with which to defend himself.
Sheriff Andrew Berry, who was advised that Lindsay was complying with treatment under a compulsory mental health order, said that carrying a knife in public was a matter of conern, which could have had serious consequences.
However, the sheriff told Lindsay who has an extensive record: "The circumstances of this case are unusual, in that there was clearly a background which was not of your making."
The knife was ordered to be forfeit.