A Paisley man who admitted racially abusing a shopkeeper and then being found in possession of a knife on two separate occasions has been jailed for over a year but will only remain behind bars for a matter of days.
Matthew McCool, 29, admitted making racial comments to Zeeshen Saeed on December 8, 2020 and being in possession of a knife on December 9, 2020, and June 8 last year.
Sheriff Gillian Craig deferred sentencing for the preparation of reports which showed McCool was “self-motivated” to change his ways.
Defence agent David Nicholson told Paisley Sheriff Court that McCool had been remanded since June last year, serving nine months in remand and therefore has effectively served the equivalent of an 18 month jail sentence.
Sheriff Craig imposed a prison sentence that will see McCool, of Renfrew Road, walk from jail in a matter of days.
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Procurator Fiscal David McDonald previously told Paisley Sheriff Court: “Around 3.50pm on December 8, 2020, Zeeshen Saeed was on duty in Best One when the accused entered.
“Mr Saeed had cause to confront the accused for stealing.
“Both began demonstrating with each other and the accused’s behaviour escalated and he began shouting, swearing and acting in an aggressive manner.
“He stated ‘Your shoes are dirty, you’re dirty and you’re a black b*****d.’ The accused then stated, ‘I’ll see you outside and I’ll see you in the morning when you open.’
“Police were contacted and the accused left. Officers viewed CCTV and although it didn’t record sound, it showed McCool at the shop acting aggressively.
“Around 3pm on December 9, 2020, officers had reason to apprehend McCool in Gilmour Street.
“As he was apprehended he was seen to discard a white handled kitchen knife with a five-inch blade.
“He was placed under arrest and processed in the usual manner. Around 3pm on June 8, 2021, officers were on plain-clothed patrol in an unmarked car.
“Officers saw the accused on a footpath outside an address in Brown Street and in the company of other males.
“Officers had cause to approach and they seen the accused remove a sharply pointed silver object from the waistband of his trousers and put it into a yellow drawstring bag of another male.
“The handle which was protruding from the bag was covered in black electrical tape. Once removed, it was confirmed the item was a knife and the male stated ‘That’s not mine. Why did you put that in my bag?’
“McCool was searched and arrested. The knife recovered had a 12 cm blade.”
Mr Nicholson told how at the time of the offence at the store in St James’ Street McCool had been struggling significantly with a heroin habit.
But told how he has since “taken steps to address his drug addiction.”
Sheriff Gillian Craig imposed a prison sentence of a total of 14 months reduced from 18 months and backdated this to McCool’s date of remand of June 9, 2021.
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