Teen with knife placed on probation

Aug 12 2010 West Lothian Courier

A TEENAGER who was seen carrying a knife on a busy Bathgate street has been placed on probation after he appeared at a local court.

The court was told that Stanley Brooks was spotted walking down Carlyle Terrace only wearing jeans and a pair of shoes.

A knife was seen to be sticking out the back of his trousers and he was acting in an agitated manner.

A taxi driver who saw him phoned the police as he was concerned about the safety of a group of children who were outside a nearby shop.

Brooks, (19), was traced by the police and they found him sitting in the street.

He did not have the knife on him at that time but told officers he had put it back in his kitchen and was immediately apologetic.

Fiscal depute Graham Fraser told Livingston Sheriff Court: “There appears to be some reason why he got angry with another man and he left to have a confrontation with him.

“Luckily this confrontation never went any further.”

Brooks, whose address was given as Carlyle Terrace, Bathgate, pled guilty to being in possession of a knife in a public place.

His solicitor, Stuart Peebles, said: “This is clearly the case of a young man in need of some assistance.”

Sheriff Graeme Warner agreed and placed the teenager on probation for two years and ordered him to carry out 100 hours of community service.