AN ANGUS drug addict walked into a police station with a knife because he wanted to be arrested after being taken off methadone.
Ian Bruce Alexander Robertson (34), Warddykes Road, Arbroath, told officers he would rather hand himself in for possession of an offensive weapon than commit another crime.
He was jailed after appearing from custody at Arbroath Sheriff Court on Tuesday.
Robertson admitted being in possession of a knife at Arbroath Police Station on October 31, while on bail.
He previously admitted a separate charge of stealing beauty products and an air freshener from Tesco, Cairnie Road, Arbroath, on October 8.
The court heard Robertson attended the police station at around 3.40am claiming he was trying to hand himself in.
Depute fiscal Hazel Anderson said: “He used the outside phone to contact the police control room advising he wanted to hand himself in on an outstanding warrant.”
After being admitted to the building, officers found no warrant had been issued.
Robertson stated he had brought an offensive weapon with him and produced a five and a half inch knife from his clothing, which he then placed on the desk.
Ms Anderson said: “The accused was cautioned and stated he thought it better to hand himself in than to go out and commit a crime.”
Defence agent Billy Rennie said his client’s life was spiralling out of control.
He added: “This was his realisation of the difficulties that have been forced upon him.
“There has been little or no violence on his record for a large number of years. It seems he has made sure he would be lifted by taking the knife for that purpose.
“He attended the police station the week before and said he had committed an act of vandalism but was kept in the cells that night and released in the morning.”
“Although his actions are not laudable he has certainly saved the court a lot of bother by going down this route.”
Sheriff Peter Paterson sentenced Robertson to a total of four months’ imprisonment.