Glasgow Elderly Man Avoids Jail After Knife Incident Thanks to Kinloch Lawyers

Elderly Man Glasgow Man in Bishopbriggs Avoids Jail After Knife Incident Thanks to Skilled Defence

On 15th May 2024, an elderly gentleman faced serious charges at Bishopbriggs, Glasgow, after an incident involving threatening behaviour and possession of a knife. While such cases often result in a custodial sentence, careful legal negotiation and a compassionate understanding of the man's circumstances led to a more proportionate outcome.

The Incident: What Happened?

On 15th May 2024, at a supported living home in Bishopbriggs, Glasgow, the 77-year-old man lost his composure during an altercation.

He behaved in a threatening and abusive manner likely to cause fear and alarm — shouting, swearing, acting aggressively, and brandishing a knife. This conduct was in breach of Section 38(1) of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010.

In addition, he was charged under Section 47(1) of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995, having allegedly possessed an offensive weapon — a knife — without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.

The Background: Why This Case Was Knife Incident was Different

This was not a typical public violence case. The man in question resided in supported accommodation and the incident led to a moment of poor judgment and emotional outburst.

At 77 years old, with no history of violence and no intention to harm, he reacted in a way that was entirely out of character — a reaction driven by possibly stress or a feeling of helplessness rather than criminal intent.

The Legal Outcome: A Fair Result Through Skilled Defence

Understanding the nuances of this case, our legal team engaged in careful negotiations with the prosecution. We secured a plea of guilty to Charge 1 (threatening behaviour) while achieving a not guilty plea to Charge 2 (offensive weapon possession).

Normally, an incident involving brandishing a knife would lead to a custodial sentence, particularly given public concerns about knife crime. However, by presenting the full background of the case to the Sheriff including the man’s personal circumstances, age, we demonstrated that a prison sentence would not serve the interests of justice.

The Final Sentence

The Sheriff recognised the exceptional circumstances and, instead of imposing a jail sentence, opted to impose a fine. This outcome acknowledges the offence while taking into account the man’s vulnerability and the mitigating factors involved.

Context Matters in this Criminal Case

This case is a powerful reminder that in criminal law, context is everything. A charge that might at first appear straightforward can carry important personal and emotional layers.

Thanks to thoughtful legal representation and an understanding of the human story behind the incident, this elderly man avoided the life-altering impact of a prison sentence and was given a chance to move forward.