A Hamilton father has been sentenced to 16 months in jail after a passing motorist witnessed him carrying a machete in the street. Stuart Connal explained that he had taken the blade from his son in an effort to prevent any potential trouble. However, Hamilton Sheriff Court revealed that Connal had prior convictions for possessing weapons. The 45-year-old, residing at Donald Terrace, pleaded guilty to being in possession of the machete without a valid excuse on May 1 the previous year on Hillhouse Road.
According to the prosecution by Scott O’Connor, the incident occurred around 4:30 pm when a driver observed four young males, some of whom seemed to be confronting a man in a white tracksuit along with another individual. O’Connor stated, “The individual in the tracksuit was in possession of a machete. Law enforcement was contacted, and Connal was identified from video recordings.” Defence attorney Gregor Jarrott mentioned that the footage supported Connal’s assertion that he had confiscated the weapon from his son. Jarrott explained to the court, “My client was informed that his son had taken this item out. He decided he couldn’t let him go to the park with that in his possession. He retrieved the implement and disposed of it.”
The lawyer also pointed out that Connal’s most recent conviction for carrying a weapon dated back to 2007. In delivering the verdict, Sheriff Michael Higgins addressed the father of three, noting his extensive criminal record, including a 2022 conviction for threatening or abusive behaviour involving a sharp object that led to imprisonment. The sheriff emphasized the negative impact weapons and knives have on communities but acknowledged that the situation did not escalate in this instance.
In conclusion, the court sentenced Connal to jail time, underscoring the severity of carrying weapons and their potential consequences within society.