A man has been jailed after trying to stab two staff members in a Hamilton store.
Michael Fletcher produced a Stanley knife after being asked to leave TK Maxx in Douglas Retail Park.
He appeared from custody at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week and admitted threatening or abusive behaviour on April 28 last year.
Fletcher, 40, also admitted unlawful possession of a bladed item and assaulting two male employees by lunging at them and trying to strike them with the knife.
The court heard that he refused to leave, shouted abuse and made threats.
He then lunged at the men and one of them used a shopping basket to fend him off.
Defence agent Jackson Bateman said Fletcher has addiction issues and his recollection of events that day was "poor".
Sheriff Liam Murphy told Fletcher: "This must have been a frightening experience for those members of staff. Thankfully, neither of them was struck by you.
"You have previous convictions for possession and use of a knife.
"Disposals such as a restriction of liberty order and a drug treatment and testing order have been tried previously, but despite this you have continued to offend.
"There is, therefore, no alternative to a custodial sentence."
The sheriff reduced the sentence from 30 months to 20 as Fletcher had pleaded guilty and avoided the need for a trial.
It was backdated to April 29 as he has been in custody since then.
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