A north-east man, who tried to attack a shopkeeper with a knife in a drunken rage, has been locked up.
David Elrick pleaded guilty to chasing Andrew Ross, who worked in Rosco’s off licence on Great Northern Road, and repeatedly trying to strike him with a blade.
The 39-year-old also admitted behaving in a threatening and abusive manner towards the shop owner Edward Reid, 76, while demanding money from him and refusing to leave the store.
Elrick, whose address was given as HMP Grampian in court papers, was also convicted of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner by brandishing his knife at James Galashan before he tried to force his way into his car and Mr Reid’s vehicle.
The court heard that Elrick had initially gone into the store at about 9.15am and was not behaving in a violent manner.
He initially asked to borrow £20 and then asked for vodka “on tick” and began consuming several bottles in the shop, while also on valium.
The court heard that Elrick borrowed a phone from the shop employees and phoned his sister, which was when his mood changed, after he discovered she had spent money that his mother had meant for him.
He then began talking loudly about “opening someone up”, which was interpreted by both of the shop workers to mean stabbing someone.
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Elrick then tried to get behind the counter and was told by Mr Ross that he was not allowed.
He then took out the knife so Mr Ross, who subsequently went into the shop toilet, and Elrick pursued him and began slashing at the door.
It was at this point that he was asked to leave by Mr Reid, and two customers came into the shop, a James Galashan and Loraine (Tomlin, who witnessed the stand-off.
Mr Reid then decided to close the shop, but Elrick then asked him for a lift and when he refused he tried to force his way into the car, and tried to force his way into Mr Galashan’s vehicle before slashing it with his knife.
Defence agent Lynn Bentley said Elrick had a long-running battle with drink and drugs, but had managed to get treatment during his time in custody since the offence.
She said that Elrick was a regular customer at the shop and was on friendly terms with the employees up until that day.
Ms Benton said the change in his behaviour had been caused by the phone call with his sister and the amount of drink he had consumed.
She stressed that the situation was relatively under control and had taken place across two hours.
It had only spilled over when the customers arrived and were alarmed at his behaviour.
She said Elrick was “unreservedly apologetic” to his victims.
Sheriff Gary Aitken told Elrick his record did him “no favours” and locked him up for two years.
