A pensioner told a campervanner parked near his Highland Perthshire home, the axe he was carrying was to “cut their neck”.
Perth Sheriff Court heard 71-year-old John West “catastrophised” day-to-day situations and a parking complaint quickly escalated into chaos.
Fiscal depute Stuart Hamilton explained that at around noon on August 20 last year, a witness parked their motorhome at Duke of Edinburgh Drive in Pitlochry and were met by other people.
West, who at the time resided in one of the adjacent Tummel-side bungalows, caught the attention of one witness, sitting in a passenger seat, by banging on the glass.
He began telling witnesses to move the motorhome.
Two of the witnesses left their vehicle and tried to engage West in conversation.
West was, at this point, clutching a silver hatchet with a black rubber handle, the top of which was resting on his shoulder.
He began arguing with one of the witnesses.
When asked why he had the axe, West said: “To cut your f***ing neck, you liar,” pointing the hatchet at the witness.
Eventually, West walked away and was met by another witness who talked him out of holding onto the axe.
West resumed the argument and police were contacted.
After being taken to Dundee Police HQ, West told officers: “I will plead guilty under provocation.”
Catastrophised
West, who now lives in sheltered housing at Hanover Gardens in Auchterarder, admitted acting in a threatening or abusive manner “likely to cause a reasonable person fear or alarm”.
Sentencing had been deferred for social work reports to be compiled.
His solicitor David McLaughlin said: “Mr West took exception to the motor home being parked on a grass area.
“It started off as a complaint and developed into an argument.
“Mr West felt somewhat threatened.
“He accepts that this was the wrong thing to do.
“He suffers from COPD. He catastrophises everyday situations.
“There’s been nothing further. The offence is almost a year old now.”
Admonished
Sheriff Nigel Cooke admonished West, which means the incident goes on his record but there is no further punishment.
He said: “Mr West, at your age you should know better.
“You have not been in trouble for years.
“I’m prepared to accept that this was something provoked and out of character for you.
“Your agent says you tend to catastrophise daily events.
“This must be very catastrophic for you.”
