A knife-wielding thug who targeted a man he suspected to be a paedophile has been locked up.
Kieran Fletcher waited in the shadows for his victim and then attacked his car as he tried to drive off.
Perth Sheriff Court heard the frightened motorist had trouble starting his engine, while Fletcher screamed at him, called him a paedophile and struck a knife against his vehicle.
The terrifying incident happened in the early hours of December 30, 2020, in Hay Street, Coupar Angus.
In October, Fletcher was placed on curfew by the court as part of an 18-month supervision order.
The 29-year-old appeared again at the same court on Thursday, and admitted breaching a Restriction of Liberty Order, which prevented him from leaving his home between 7pm and 7am for a year.
Sheriff Euan Duthie told him: “The court gave you an opportunity to avoid imprisonment.
“You were asked to comply with this order but you did not comply.”
The sheriff withdraw his previous sentence and jailed Fletcher for four months.
Rained down blows on the car
Fletcher earlier admitted repeatedly punching a car outside his home in Murrays Court, Hay Street, and striking it with a knife while the driver cowered inside.
The motorist and a family member had arrived at the block of flats earlier on December 29 to care for an elderly relative.
The pair had spent much of the day at the property and the driver left just before 1am on December 30.
He got in the car and spotted Fletcher, 29, standing by the passenger door.
Fiscal depute Andrew Harding told the court: “He entered the vehicle, turned the ignition on and became aware of the accused stood beside the front passenger side.”
He could see Fletcher had a knife in his right hand, Mr Harding said.
Fletcher began raining blows onto the car with his fists and the blade, striking the roof and window.
He was repeatedly shouting and swearing at the driver, calling him a paedophile.
“In fear of his life, he locked his doors,” Mr Harding added.
A woman who had been with the driver earlier came out to see what was happening but promptly returned inside for her own safety.
Police were contacted shortly afterwards.
Defence solicitor Pauline Cullerton said Fletcher suspected his target had been grooming a youngster.
She said: “He’s not been without his difficulties throughout his life.
“In his own words, he acted stupidly and was not in the right frame of mind.”
