Terrified Aberdeen shop staff had to remove a knife from a teenager during an argument after he helped himself to the weapon from the deli counter.
Ty Hyland, 19, was arguing with another man during the early morning fallout in a city centre Premier store when he grabbed the serrated knife.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court was told how staff at the Union Street convenience store witnessed the drama unfold at 5am on February 6 last year.
Fiscal depute David Rogers said two people were working in the shop at the time and overheard an argument in the till area.
“One witness observed the accused move to the rear of the locus near to the deli section then re-enter the till area carrying a knife in his hand,” he said.
‘He has little recollection of his actions’
“This was also witnessed and observed by a colleague and captured by CCTV.
“The witness approached the accused and spoke to him and managed to remove the knife from his hand. Another member of staff contacted the police.”
The knife was described as being 20-25cm long and with a serrated edge.
Hyland admitted a charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.
His defence agent Chris Maitland said his client had few memories of the incident.
“My Hyland has little recollection of his actions and has no idea why he did what he did.”
The solicitor said the other male involved was being “more aggressive” but that his behaviour was “no excuse” for what his client then did.
‘A stupid and reckless thing to do’
“He can only say it’s a mistake that he acted in the way he did,” Mr Maitland added. “He went behind the deli counter and picked the knife up from there.”
He added that Hyland was a former oil industry cleaner who is attending courses to gain qualifications in the hope of regaining employment.
Sheriff Donald Ferguson said: “This was potentially a very serious matter. It was a very reckless and stupid thing to do.
“It’s important that it was a spur of the moment and he was not carrying a weapon but it’s still worrying for the witnesses and a frightening incident for them.”
He ordered Hyland, of Park Road, Aberdeen, to carry out 70 hours of unpaid work.
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