A man sparked a police emergency after turning up at a primary school playground – with a five-foot bow and arrow.
A stunned member of the public phoned police to report a male with the unusual weapon at the Gilcomstoun Primary School playground on Skene Street, Aberdeen.
Officers swooped on the scene and found Nicholas Twidale with a wooden archery bow five feet in length.
He also had metal arrows which were 28 inches long and a hook knife with a 12.5-inch blade.
Twidale, 34, explained to officers he was there to shoot arrows at a wall with his 11-year-old nephew, but Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard he seemed “oblivious” to the seriousness of the matter.
Fiscal depute Susan Love told the court: “The offence occurred at coming up to 7pm. Police received an anonymous report from a member of the public stating they had seen a male in possession of a bow and arrow at Gilcomstoun Primary School.
“Police attended immediately and traced the accused in the playground along with his 11-year-old nephew.
“The accused was cautioned and detained for a search.”
Ms Love said Twidale was found to be in possession of a five-foot “traditional wooden archery bow” in a black case, and 11 metal arrows measuring 28 inches long in a quiver.
He also had a curved hook knife with a 12.5 inch blade, a total length of 18.5 inches.
Twidale was cautioned, arrested and charged.
Ms Love said: “When cautioned and charged he intimated he understood and replied ‘I’m sorry’.
“It’s noted the accused appeared oblivious to the severity of his actions.
“He said he attended with his nephew with the intention of shooting arrows against a brick wall but hadn’t been aware of the consequences of doing so.”
Twidale pled guilty to being in possession of an offensive weapon – the bow and arrow and a bladed article – on school premises.
The incident happened on May 29.
Defence agent Paul Barnett said: “He is on school premises but it’s a Friday evening, there’s no-one else there.
“In relation to the knife it was in the quiver. He’d forgotten the knife was in there.”
Mr Barnett added his client had no previous convictions.
Sheriff Ian Wallace said: “I’ll defer this matter for sentencing for a criminal justice social work report and a restriction of liberty order assessment.”
Twidale, of Rosemount Square, Aberdeen, was bailed until the sentencing hearing next month.
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