An army veteran who was “frothing at the mouth” as he threatened to assault a paramedic has been told he could face jail for waving a knife around in the street outside his home.
Peterhead Sheriff Court was told that Stuart Forsyth has been struggling with his mental health since returning from a tour of duty in Iraq and had turned to drink and drugs.
Forsyth, 24, was found “looking unconscious” on the side of the road in Mintlaw on July 5 2019.
However, he almost immediately woke up when placed in an ambulance and started to threaten the paramedic who was trying to help.
The ex-soldier “squared up” to him and was deemed unfit to be taken to hospital.
Frothing at the mouth and ready for a fight
Fiscal depute Darren Harty told Peterhead Sheriff Court: “Paramedics were called to a report of someone unconscious on the side of the road. The accused didn’t respond and was placed on a trolley and placed in the ambulance.
“He immediately woke up and told the paramedic he was going to ‘get him’.
“He was frothing at the mouth and abusive. He started to square up to him in an attempt to fight him.”
Rather than take him to the hospital, police were called and Forsyth was cautioned and charged.
Hid knife in garden when police appeared
In a separate incident, almost a year later in July 2020, police were called to Station Road in Mintlaw after receiving reports of Forsyth brandishing a knife.
Mr Harty added: “The accused was noted to be in possession of a knife, waving it above his head.
“Officers were asked to attend and when searched he was not in possession of the knife. They searched around the locus and a silver kitchen knife was found in the rear of the garden.”
Forsyth admitted both offences last June.
His defence agent Sam Milligan said background reports showed he was a “young man who had not had previous difficulties to seek”.
He said a combination of drugs and alcohol had combined with mental health difficulties experienced after his client’s tour of Iraq on service with the army in 4 Scots The Highlanders.
“He was thereafter struggling somewhat,” Mr Milligan added. “He has latterly taken steps to deal with this particular issues and a modicum of success has been gained and he has not been back before the court.”
He called for “quite proper and focused intervention” for his client.
Sheriff Philip Mann warned that the case involving the knife, in particular, was one that could attract a custodial sentence.
“Possession of a knife and statutory breach of the peace is regarded as being quite serious in the court,” he added.
Warning of jail time
He sentenced Forsyth to one year of supervision for the ambulance incident, as an alternative to a fine, and deferred sentencing for the knife incident for six months to see how well Forsyth applied himself to that order.
“If he doesn’t comply or remain of good behaviour there is a distinct possibility of a custodial sentence being imposed,” the sheriff added.
“The matter, Mr Forsyth, is in your hands. If you want to stay at liberty … comply with the order.”
Forsyth, of Station Road in Mintlaw, will appear back in court on February 7.
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