A man has been jailed after threatening to burn down a city church and hold two elderly volunteers hostage.
John Falconer, 43, admitted threatening the two terrified helpers, who were aged 78 and 74, at Meadowside St Paul’s Church on
May 22.
Falconer pled guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, causing fear or alarm, acting in an aggressive manner, shouting, and making threats to damage property.
The charge originally included an allegation that he possessed knives during the incident and presented these to Ms Chisholm but this was deleted.
His not guilty plea to a second charge of breach of the peace was accepted.
Sheriff John Rafferty sentenced Falconer, of Deveron Crescent, to 135 days in prison, down from 150 days due to his guilty plea.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard Falconer had entered the church, which was handing out free food and drink to those in need.
He asked one of the volunteers known to him for many years for money but this was refused, causing Falconer to fly into a rage.
Depute fiscal Isobel Vincent told the court: “The accused became irate and began pacing, shouting ‘you’re making me beg, just give me the money’.
“Another witness, Margaret Chisholm, overheard the argument and joined her colleague, at which point the accused shouted ‘I will torch this place, I will torch your car’.
He then shouted he was not leaving.
“When both witnesses went to leave, the accused shouted ‘I could hold you hostage, I ken there’s knives here’.
“
The accused left and the police were called, who later traced him.”
A defence agent acting on Falconer’s behalf said he had been attending the church’s drop-in event for over 18 years.
She said: “It’s clear from the witness’s statements that they have known him for a long, long time and are fond of him.
“He stated that he had asked them for money and accepts that it was born out of frustration.”
The incident sparked a huge police presence in Dundee City Centre as officers hunted for the culprit.
Six police cars, officers and sniffer dogs were spotted in the area after Falconer ran off from the church.
It is believed he was not traced and arrested until several days later.
