Published: Wednesday, 29th October, 2008 10:15
Axe man chased neighbours
By Court Reporter
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William Brown
Pic by: Stewart Robertson
AN axe-wielding man shouted sectarian abuse at his neighbours while he chased them with the lethal weapon.
William Brown, 45, forced the terrified residents to flee as he brandished the blade, which was wrapped in newspaper, above his head.
The incident followed an argument between Brown and two women outside his home, Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard on Thursday (October 23).
Gillian Climie, fiscal depute, told the court how Brown had told the witnesses to “get away from the door”.
But, as the women headed in the direction of the car park at the rear of his property, they were closely followed by Brown who was armed with the axe.
He started shouting at the witnesses, including phrases of an anti-Catholic nature.
The incident quickly escalated and Ms Climie said Brown chased the women in to a nearby garden in the Braehead estate, Bonhill, where they hid until police arrived.
Brown, who then returned to his property, was found by officers and placed under arrest.
Bert Thomson, defending, told the court that his client was a first offender and pled guilty to two counts of breach of the peace, brandishing an axe and making sectarian remarks on July 20 this year.
He added: “I suspect he may be something of a target for young people in the area.
“His perception of the situation is there was more harassment than perhaps there was in reality.
“When he went back he got rid of the axe and quickly realised his folly in taking this with him — he waited for the police and co-operated fully.”
When sentencing, Sheriff Simon Fraser told Brown he was very close to receiving a custodial sentence.
He said: “Anyone who runs at people with an axe goes to prison — but anyone who has come this far in life without even seemingly picking up a parking ticket must be doing something right.”
Brown, of 386 Braehead, Bonhill, was ordered to carry out 240 hours of community service due to his early plea.
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