A man was found in possession of an improvised weapon outside a leisure complex in Coatbridge. Sam McTaggart, 24, was discovered with a lighter that had two razor blades attached to it. He claimed that he carried this for protection as he had been previously attacked. However, a sheriff noted that McTaggart had a history of being armed when going out.
McTaggart appeared at Airdrie Sheriff Court and admitted to carrying an offensive weapon outside Time Capsule in Buchanan Street on July 28 while he was on bail. Police officers encountered McTaggart in a car park and observed his nervous behaviour, leading to a search. They found the adapted lighter concealed in a cigarette packet in his pocket, with McTaggart justifying it by citing his mental health and past experiences.
McTaggart’s criminal record includes serious charges such as pulling a knife on his mother and attacking others with various weapons. The sheriff expressed concern over his pattern of arming himself with weapons and indicated the likelihood of a custodial sentence. Despite McTaggart’s progress under a drug treatment and testing order, his latest offence was deemed an unacceptable breach.
The sentencing for McTaggart was deferred for later this month while he was remanded in custody. The court proceedings revealed the troubling pattern of McTaggart’s criminal behaviour and his reliance on weapons for his perceived protection. The judge emphasised the seriousness of the offence and hinted towards potential imprisonment for McTaggart due to his repeated involvement in weapon-related incidents.