A YOUTH was threatened by a 24-year-old man with a knife at a skatepark in Dunfermline.

Thug Michael Sanderson was also in possession of a knuckle-duster during the incident after his group was challenged over smashing bottles in the skate park.

In a previous incident, Sanderson was spotted on CCTV walking through Dunfermline town centre at 10pm with another offensive weapon, a cricket bat.

Sanderson, 24, of Chapel Street, Lochgelly, appeared from custody at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He previously admitted that on March 10, at Queen Anne Street, Dunfermline, he was in possession of an offensive weapon, a cricket bat.

He also admitted that on the same day he was in possession of cannabis resin.

He has now admitted that on October 18, at St Margaret’s Drive, Dunfermline, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting, acting aggressively, challenging a 17-year-old boy to fight and producing a knife.

He also admitted being in possession of another offensive weapon, a knuckle duster.

Of the first incident, depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said: “At around 10pm, a CCTV operator became aware of the accused walking through Dunfermline town centre with a cricket bat.

“He was carrying it openly near the bus station. At one point he put it into a holder then took it back out.

“Police attended and by then the cricket bat had been disposed of by one of his friends. However, officers found the bat which had been thrown over a wall.”

Sanderson told police: “I had a ball and everything. I had played cricket earlier.” He was found to be in possession of 2.1 grams of cannabis resin.

In the recent incident, the 17-year-old youth was playing at the skatepark with three friends from 8.30pm.

“At 9.20pm, they became aware of bottles smashing at the top end of the skatepark. They went to investigate and saw a group of males and females.

“The complainer asked the group to tidy up the mess and an argument then took place.”

When the youth walked back towards the other end of the park he was followed by Sanderson who was by now angry.

“He approached the complainer shouting at him. When the complainer declined to shake hands with him he became even more angry.

“He took a knife with a three- to four-inch blade from his jacket pocket and continued to shout.”

With the knife in his hand, he challenged the youth to a fight before being led away by other members of his group.

The court heard Sanderson was already on a community payback order.

Sheriff Robert Weir deferred sentence until November 22 for reports and allowed bail. However, he placed Sanderson on a curfew from 7pm to 7am until sentencing and also ordered him to stay out of Dunfermline apart from court dates.