Terrifying axe found hidden in man's trousers after Glasgow police caught him walking on M74

A man is due in court after police caught him walking along a Glasgow motorway with an axe.

Officers in Lanarkshire were called out to the M74 near Larkhall on Tuesday, following reports of a man walking along the motorway.

After conducting a search, a 40cm axe was found concealed in his trousers.

A 38-year-old was charged in connection and will appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Wednesday, 8 May.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 12.45pm on Tuesday, 7 May, 2024 police received a report of a person walking along the roadway at the M74, Larkhall.

"Officers attended and discovered the man was in possession of a bladed weapon.

"The 38-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with the incident. He is due to appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Wednesday, 8 May, 2024."

The Daily Record has identified the weapon the man was carrying as a Tomahawk Throwing Axe/Hatchet Tactical Hunting Knife.

The frightening tool can be purchased online for less than £20 and is described as having a 440 Stainless Steel Blade and 3.5” Cutting Blade. Purchasers are told the weapon can help them unleash their “inner viking”.

We also found a number of the axes being sold as “hunting” and “camping axes” for sale from just £13.95.

A Record investigation in 2023 found scores of deadly weapons, such as truncheons and martial art whips, being sold on Amazon.

The items, marketed as for “self-defence”, were being sold on the online market-place by third-party sellers, despite being prohibited by UK law.

Other listings for stainless steel ‘pointers’ or flag poles also showed extendable weapons which have ball bearing ends and are described as being ‘anti-shock.’

The Record also found a further chilling weapon which was described as a ‘multipurpose combat whip.’ The item consists of a handle with three stainless steel cables and was listed as being able to smash through car windows.

Laws governing offensive weapons came in 1988 and were updated in 2019 under the Offensive Weapons Act.

The Prevention of Crime Act 1953 classifies any item that is intended or brandished as a weapon as an offensive weapon. This encompasses both conventional weapons and other articles carried by civilians for purposes of violence such as a baseball bat.

Amazon immediately agreed to remove the items from sale and ‘take action’ against the third-party sellers after being contacted by the Record.

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