A Dundee serial offender with multiple convictions for drugs and violence was seen close to his home holding a machete.
Charles Christie, 40, who has a history of police assault, was tackled by officers called to reports of a man carrying a weapon on Aboyne Avenue last summer.
PC Fraser McLaughlin and his colleagues moved to arrest Christie, of Prieston Road, after he spotted them and tried to escape into a common close, discarding the large blade as he did so.
When charged with having the weapon, he tried to claim it had been on the ground.
13 pending cases and 5 bail orders
Depute fiscal Lynn Mannion told Dundee Sheriff Court: “He has previous convictions for assault, breach of the peace, drugs, police assault and at the time had 13 pending court cases and was subject to five bail orders.”
Outlining the latest case, she said: “On June 21 police officers were called to attend an incident at Aboyne Avenue, following reports of a man being seen in possession of a machete.
“Officers saw a man matching the description and the accused made off toward the common close with another man who was also outside.
“PC McLaughlin saw the accused drop the machete.
“Christie was restrained by PC McLaughlin for possession of a blade in a public place, without reason for doing so.
“He was taken to police headquarters on Bell Street.
“At 9.47pm the machete was recovered on Aboyne Avenue.
“In response to caution and charge, Christie responded: ‘it was on the closey floor’.”
Bail refused
Christie admitted weapon possession and breaking a curfew by being outside his home at the time.
Solicitor Jim Caird, in mitigation for Christie, said his client has been in custody since his arrest – the equivalent of a nine-month sentence – and pled guilty at an early opportunity.
He added: “He has had a serious drug problem in the past.
“He has taken advantage of addiction services while in prison.
“He does have a record.
“He was working before the Covid pandemic as a groundsman but work dried up.”
Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown deferred sentence until May 5 but said because of the nature of the crimes he committed, she could not grant him bail.
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