Man caught on CCTV with knife and slapped by mum receives jail warning

A man who was caught with a knife in an East Renfrewshire street and slapped across the face by his mother for having it escaped a jail sentence.

Jonathan Liddell was spotted on CCTV with the weapon in Barrhead’s Newton Avenue on May 29 last year without “reasonable excuse or lawful authority”.

The 32-year-old’s furious mum saw him in the street with the blade and seized it from him before slapping him across the face. Cops were made aware Liddell had been viewed on CCTV and arrested him.

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Prosecutor Matt Piskorz previously told Paisley Sheriff Court: “Around 6.35pm on May 29 last year, police officers were requested to attend Newton Avenue in Barrhead as CCTV covering the area captured the accused in possession of a knife.

“Police were advised of this and a description of the accused and they made their way there. Once officers arrived, the accused was arrested and the knife was seized from him. He was thereafter processed and made no reply to caution and charge.”

Mr Piskorz showed the large, black-handled knife to the court. Defence agent Kevin Brady told the court Liddell understands his behaviour was “unacceptable”.

He added: “The conviction on his record that will cause the most concern was committed when he was 13 years old. He has no recollection of events as he was a profound alcoholic drinking on a daily basis at this point. He has no pending offences and not offended since this incident in May 2023.

“He has turned his life around and the knife was actually recovered from his mother who seen him in the street with it and seized it from him and slapped him across the face for having it.

“He has taken steps by himself to address his problems and recognises when alcohol is in his life, which he uses as self medication for other matters in his life, he finds himself before the court.”

Sheriff Amel Elfallah said: “This was a serious offence. You must have terrified people with this particular item. Although this case has passed the custodial mark, I can deal with it in a non-custodial manner.”

Sheriff Elfallah ordered Liddell to carry out 90 hours of community service and made him subject to supervision of the social work department for 12 months.

In addition, he was ordered to wear a tag which keeps him within his Braeside Drive home in Glasgow between 7pm and 7am for 120 days. Sheriff Elfallah warned: “If you breach the order, you’ll be brought back before me and it will be custody.”

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