A brave resident wrestled a replica handgun from a would-be intruder who stormed his house demanding drugs and money.
Army veteran Allan Steele was in a “Valium-induced trance” when he tried to break into the house last February.
Just hours later Steele attempted to break into another property.
The home owner tackled him while his wife and daughter hid in the bathroom.
Perth Sheriff Court heard the 50-year-old did not know any of his victims.
Tried to force entry
Fiscal depute Joanne Ritchie told the court: “At 5.30pm on February 5 both the complainers were at home when there was a knock at the door.
“The complainer’s wife opened the door, the accused was there and asked to see Damien.
“She advised him there was no one of that name there and closed the door.”
Steele returned and knocked again at the Malvina Place property and the male householder answered and told him to leave.
“The accused forced open the door with his body.
“The complainer managed to close the door but could not lock it as he didn’t have the key.
“He shouted at his wife to find the door key and call the police.
“The complainer held the door closed with his body.”
Pushed weapon through door
During the struggle a glass panel on the door was broken and Steele pushed a realistic-looking weapon through the gap and demanded money and cocaine.
“The complainer was able to grab the gun and wrestle it out of the accused’s hand, giving it to his wife.”
Steele was later seen with a wooden pole the family recognised as the handle of a shovel from their property.
Police experts identified the weapon as an 8mm replica handgun, capable of firing blanks but which had no ammunition in it.
The accused’s blood was found at the scene.
The following day Steele went to the second address, on Gilsay Place, where he also knocked and tried to force entry.
The owner was able to get Steele out of the property and he was arrested a short time later.
Brought out of ‘trance’
Solicitor Calum Harris, defending, said Steele, who served two tours in Northern Ireland, had resorted to taking street Valium following an accident in which he broke his neck in 2021.
He said: “Mr Steele has no recollection of matters until he was arrested.
“Police were in possession of a Taser and that has brought him out of his trance of Valium.
“He served in the armed forces between the ages of 16 and 24 and completed two tours of Northern Ireland.
“As a result of that and witnessing two murders during his time in custody he has significant PTSD.
“In 2021 he suffered a serious injury to his neck and required surgery.
“He’d been on Valium ever since but this incident brought an end to that period.”
He said Steele was aware of the harm he would have caused to the complainers and is “incredibly remorseful”.
Guilty pleas
Steele, of Approach Terrace, East Wemyss, admitted assaulting assault at an address in Perth on February 5 and possessing a firearm with intent to make someone believe violence would be used against him.
He also admitted assault at a different address in the city the following day.
Pleas of not guilty to possessing scissors and a hammer at the second address were accepted by the Crown.
Sentence was deferred for reports on Steele, who has previous convictions for violence and drug dealing.
He was remanded in custody.
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