A man with mental health problems tried to stab his cousin in a busy Oban street.
Donald McGillivray, 45, was jailed for two years yesterday at the town’s sheriff court.
He pleaded guilty to assaulting Gordon McGillivray by repeatedly attempting to strike him with a knife in Station Square on May 24.
The accused, of High Street, Oban, appeared from custody yesterday. He also admitted being in possession of a knife in a public place.
Fiscal Eoin McGinty said: “The time of the offence was 2.10pm. The locust was particularly busy with pedestrians on the footpaths.
“The complainer left the Bank of Scotland and walked in the direction of George Street. He had only taken a few steps when he saw his cousin walking towards him.”
Donald McGillivray told him he was “going to get him”, and was holding a knife with a three-inch blade.
Mr McGinty said: “The complainer has indicated that there has not been any bad faith between him and his cousin, however he was aware that his cousin had significant mental health problems.
“The complainer ran across the road and the pannel ran directly after him. Gordon McGillivray grabbed a road work sign and used it as a shield as the pannel began to stab at him hitting the sign.
“He ran for his life towards the train station and was chased a short distance by the pannel.”
He said the accused had a history of schizophrenia.
The court heard that witnesses phoned the police and that Donald McGillivray then walked into the station to hand himself in.
Solicitor Tom Brown said: “There are certainly mental health problems, but not of the like that would make him unfit for trial or provide a special defence.”