Undressed knifeman jailed after ‘kill’ threats in Dumbarton close

Dylan Garden, who has been in custody since the incident, told a neighbour he’d kill anyone he saw entering or leaving the property, during the incident.

The 23-year-old pleaded guilty at the town’s sheriff court earlier this month to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner outside his bail address, in nearby Wallace Street, on July 2, by shouting, swearing and uttering threats.

The court was told a neighbour had heard someone at his front door at around 11.30pm, and opened it to find Garden in a state of undress holding a knife.

Garden then said: “If I see anyone coming in and out of the door, I’m going to f***ing kill them.”

He then left and police were contacted. Garden later admitted to cops that he had been in the common close with a knife.

However, his guilty plea was tendered when it emerged that he was awaiting sentence for three other offences dating back to 2019.

At Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week, on October 19, his defence solicitor Kenny McGowan told the hearing that despite his crimes his client is “not lacking in intelligence”.

He said: “He is now a 23-year-old and has been in custody since July 5.

“In preparation of the report he tried to give a honest account of this incident and takes responsibility for his actions.

“He is now ready to make amends and indicated he intends to get himself back into work.

“Mr Garden is not lacking in intelligence taking into account his early plea.

“His position now is that he now acknowledges the gravity of this matter and if continues down this path he faces the prospect of further custodial sentences.

“He has never had a significant period of time in custody. It has not been a pleasant experience and a real eye-opener.”

Sheriff Frances McCartney said: “It is inevitable to impose a custodial sentence. You were previously given an opportunity by Sheriff Gallacher of a community payback order but yet you still offended.”

The sheriff jailed Garden for 10 months.