Jail for knife man

An intoxicated, knife-wielding man who caused terror in a Highland port, has been jailed for 120 days.

Robert Dougherty, Chapel Place, Portmahomack, walked along Invergordon High Street on April 12 twirling a 6” knife. A pedestrian was said to be “terrified” he would harm her or others.

The 41-year-old eventually handed over the knife, which had blood on it from a cut to his hands, to a shop assistant in the Hope Charity Shop.

Dougherty appeared for sentencing at Tain Sheriff Court on Monday, having previously admitted possessing a knife in a public place and conducting himself in a disorderly manner.

Defence agent Neil Wilson said there had been no suggestion that Dougherty was threatening or menacing anyone or demanding money.

He said: “While he has a record that does him no favours, it stopped a decade ago and he has no matters outstanding. The background to him getting into trouble is laid out in the report. He self-medicated on certain substances. “

Sheriff Chris Dickson turned down Mr Wilson’s plea that his client escape imprisonment.

The sheriff said: “I accept you have not been in trouble for a significant period of time but nevertheless you must accept this was an extremely frightening incident for people who witnessed it.”

Dougherty’s sentence was backdated to April 15.