A GLASGOW man has been jailed for a year for being caught with a knife in a stolen car.
Ross Johnson was slammed by a sheriff for deliberately picking up the weapon from the vehicle, now more than two years ago.
The 26-year-old previously pleaded guilty to reset of a motor vehicle that was dishonestly appropriated by theft, and to having a knife.
The incident happened on September 20, 2021, in Millichen Road, Bearsden.
At Dumbarton Sheriff Court on October 17, Jonhson's defence solicitor said sentencing could be delayed to await the outcome of other matters.
But Sheriff Seith Ireland said, "justice must be done" as Johnson appeared from custody.
Johnson's defence solicitor said his client had a "relatively good upbringing". But his drug addiction issues had led to health problems, including malnutrition.
He said: "His mother has been very supportive of him. She certainly doesn't approve of his behaviour. He has a very strained relationship with his father and brother.
"While on remand, he has taken steps to address his addiction issues. He is classed by social work as being immature. But he has expressed regret and shown some insight.
"He accepts his criminality. He was under 25 years old at the time of the offences. He has got himself into a lot of bother."
The solicitor said as well as drug issues, Johnson, of Dalmarnock Road, Glasgow, also had a bad peer group.
He added: "He recognises his responsibility and that he has to be punished."
The sheriff told Johnson that he had never "suffered" a custodial sentence, and that his age at the time of the offence meant he had to consider sentencing guidelines.
But he told him: "You have previous convictions.
"You were granted the privilege of a community payback order and that's not deterred you.
"Having found a knife in the vehicle, you picked it up. That's a deliberate action and a matter of some seriousness and a matter the public are rightly concerned about.
"The previous convictions is a telling factor. There is no alternative to custody."
He jailed Johnson for 12 months for the offences.
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