A Dundee man wielding a bladed knuckleduster was able to escape from police for a short time after their taser failed to affect him.
John Drinnan was found by officers in Charleston after they were tipped-off by witnesses who had seen him pick up the offensive weapon in November 2019.
One constable, a PC Smith, found Drinnan at the back of a building on Dunholm Road after their pursuit was ended by a five-foot fence.
The constable could not properly see his face initially but as he got closer he could see Drinnan had what he first thought was a knife in his hand, Dundee Sheriff Court was told.
Drinnan, who required the use of a British Sign-Language interpreter in court, did not acknowledge the officer when asked.
The officer then gave the standard taser-weapon warning, shouting the word “taser” several times before shooting it at Drinnan.
The barbs, which are supposed to penetrate the target’s skin, did not make proper contact, meaning Drinnan was able to evade arrest at the time.
Found with bladed knuckleduster
Depute Fiscal Stewart Duncan said: “PC Smith believed Drinnan was either going to escape or attack him.
“He shouted ‘taser, taser, taser’ before discharging the weapon but the barbs did not make contact.”
The court heard PC Smith was not in a position afterwards to follow Drinnan as he made good his escape but he was able to relay a description to the police control room.
After eventually being apprehended, Drinnan could not be immediately charged because there was no interpreter available, the fiscal added.
Drinnan has served custodial sentences in the past, the court was told.
He pled guilty on indictment to having a bladed knuckleduster without lawful authority on November 22 2019 on Dunholm Terrace and South Road.
Sheriff Alistair Carmichael continued the case for background reports, with Drinnan ordered to appear at Dundee Sheriff Court on February 8 for sentencing.
