An armed robber who held up an amateur musician at his home in Perth has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.
Blake Smith brandished a Stanley knife at Joseph O’Brien before robbing him of his guitar.
But police swooped before the 28-year-old could flee the property.
Drunken Smith said he had been egged on by a woman who claimed Mr O’Brien owed her money.
He later sank his teeth into one of the police officers, while they were trying to get him treatment at Perth Royal Infirmary.
Londoner Smith, who was previously jailed for a robbery in England in 2015, appeared at Perth Sheriff Court – via video link from HMP Glenochil – and admitted a charge of assault and robbery on February 5.
He also admitted assaulting a police officer.
Jailing Smith for 129 weeks, Sheriff William Wood urged him to address his behaviour.
Caught holding the guitar
The court heard the robbery took place at Mr O’Brien’s top floor flat at the St Johnstoun’s Building on Charles Street.
Fiscal depute Joanne Ritchie said: “At about 6.40pm, Joseph O’Brien and a friend were inside the flat when they heard a loud banging at the front door.
“This was overheard by a neighbour who contacted police.”
Ms Ritchie said: “The accused entered the flat and produced a Stanley knife.
“He held it towards Mr O’Brien and said he wanted money or he would take his guitar.”
Smith grabbed the instrument, moments before police arrived at the property.
“The accused was seen standing holding the guitar.
“Mr O’Brien explained the situation to officers.”
Cop needed Hepatitis B shot
Smith was searched and the knife was found in a front trouser pocket.
He was placed in the back of a waiting police van.
“The accused began to bang his head repeatedly on the cage,” said Ms Ritchie.
“Because of this, he was taken to Perth Royal Infirmary to be checked over.
“Later, while still in the rear of the police vehicle, the accused appeared to be acting suspiciously.
“He took hold of his handcuffs and began hitting himself on the head.
“Officers opened the cage door and attempted to get the cuffs off of the accused.”
The court heard during the struggle, Smith bit down into PC John Fyffe’s left hand, breaking the skin.
Ms Ritchie said hospital staff checked Smith and deemed he was fit to be detained.
“PC Fyffe suffered a cut to his left hand,” the prosecutor told the court.
“He had to give a blood sample and was put on a course of antibiotics, along with a Hepatitis B booster.”
Encouraged by ‘hostile witness’
Solicitor John McLaughlin, defending, said: “Mr Smith is originally from London but has family here in Perth, where he was living at the time.
“On the day in question, he had taken quite an amount to drink.
“He met up with a lady, who was described by police as a ‘hostile witness’ because she wouldn’t give a statement.
“Mr Smith advises me that she was the person who suggested going up to Mr O’Brien’s flat.
“She said she had was owed money by Mr O’Brien.
“So he acted in the way that he did, suggesting that Mr O’Brien give him the guitar instead of the money.
“The guitar was recovered and handed back to the complainer.”
Smith was left with a scar on his face as a result of his behaviour in the back of the police van.
“He accepts that if he was sober he would not have acted in this way,” said Mr McLaughlin.
Time for reflection
Sheriff William Wood told Smith: “I take account of the seriousness of this matter alongside the fact you have analogous convictions.
“As you realise yourself, only a custodial sentence is appropriate.”
He added: “You’re a young man with relatively few convictions, albeit they are serious ones.
“I hope that, as you approach your 30th birthday, you will take time to reflect on the way you want to live your life.
“If alcohol is the issue, then that’s what you will have to address.”
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