Inverness man showed knife to CCTV camera at Eastgate Shopping Centre

A sheriff told a 28-year-old man it was “not only stupid but could have been incredibly dangerous” when he brazenly held up a knife to a CCTV camera in a shopping centre.

Brian Emslie, of Evan Barron Road, Inverness had been drinking prior to being filmed showing the Stanley knife to camera operators in the Eastgate Shopping Centre on November 12, 2022.

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Sheriff Ian Cruickshank viewed the brief footage as Emslie walked through the precinct with a couple of friends before sentencing him to 250 hours of unpaid community work.

Emslie had previously admitted possessing the blade in a public place and sentence had been deferred for a background report.

Fiscal depute Emily Hood told Inverness Sheriff Court that CCTV operators were monitoring the centre when Emslie looked up at the camera and showed a Stanley knife to it.

Police were informed and Emslie was arrested, Ms Hood added.

Defence solicitor advocate Clare Russell told the court: “It was extremely foolish and unnecessary behaviour.

“Alcohol was a contributing factor. He has just completed a 24-month welding course at the University of the Highlands and Islands and the knife was for his course.

“He should not have produced it in the way he did.”