A violent thug has been jailed after threatening neighbours and throwing a knife at a police officer.
James Maley had taken a cocktail of drink and drugs on August 5 last year when he threatened to “target” neighbours in Renfrew’s Houston Street.
After being arrested by cops and released on August 6, the 32-year-old brought himself to the attention of police two days later when he was verbally abusive.
Maley, described as a prisoner of Low Moss in Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire, was found in Renfrew’s Fulbar Lane where he threw a kitchen knife at a cop – narrowly missing his foot.
Procurator fiscal depute Jason Stark told Paisley Sheriff Court, that three residents in Houston Street could hear “loud banging and shouting” coming from the first floor of the block of flats with a male shouting, “Ryan let me in”.
Mr Stark explained: “Due to the excessive noise, the witness Hamilton made his way upstairs and approached the accused and asked him to keep the noise down.
“The accused immediately became aggressive and hostile and so the witness made his way back to the ground floor to try remove himself from the situation and prevent matters escalating.
“The accused followed him and now there were two other witnesses in the close who heard the accused state, ‘Don’t tell me to be quiet or I’ll come after you and come after your house and I’ll target you’.
“One witness encouraged everyone to return to their properties to prevent further escalation and the accused continued to shout, stating, ‘I’m coming back, youse are getting it’.
“Police were contacted and when they arrived the accused had left.
“All three witnesses expressed their fears the accused might return.”
The court heard the accused was later traced by police officers in Fulbar Lane.
Mr Stark added: “Officers spoke with the accused and observed Maley to reach to the rear of his trouser waistband and pull out a black-handled kitchen knife and throw it underhand towards police with such force the blade became embedded into the floor, close to PC O’Donnell’s foot.
“Maley was arrested and taken to Greenock and later released on an undertaking.”
The court then heard how, just two days later, on August 8, Maley was back in trouble with cops as he subjected them to a “tirade of verbal abuse”.
Mr Stark added: “Police on mobile patrol had cause to detain the accused for a matter that is no longer before the court and placed him under arrest.
“He appeared to have injuries to his face and right wrist and was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in a called van.
“During the journey he subjected officers to a tirade of verbal abuse and made repeated demands for a fight.
“In the back of the van, Maley called PC Cannon a ‘f****t’ and a ‘black b*****d’.
“He was cautioned and taken to hospital for his injuries.”
Maley’s defence agent told how his client had “little recollection” of events.
He added: “He was significantly under the influence of drink and drugs.
“He understands this is a very serious matter but perhaps the risks were less given the height of the knife was never above waist height.”
Sheriff Gillian Craig said: “This was obviously quite an escapade for you in August.
“There was simply no need for the threats made to those people who simply asked you to quieten
down.
“What causes me most concern is you threw a knife at a police officer with such force it became embedded in the floor.
“Thereafter, you made disgraceful remarks to police officers.
“You are a danger to the public as matters currently stand so a custodial sentence is only appropriate.”
Sheriff Craig jailed Maley for a total of 15 months backdating this to his date of remand.
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