A DUNFERMLINE man sparked fears that he was carrying a knife in the grounds of Lynburn Primary School – after he alerted police about it himself.

William McKay Russell (23), of 73 Nith Street, made a phone call to officers giving them his own description and then refused to remove his hand from his waistband when they arrived, prompting them to draw their CS gas.

He also threatened to “f****** slit them” when he was taken to the police station, after it was discovered he did not have the weapon on him.

The offence occurred when he was already on bail for a separate incident, during which he caused damage worth hundreds of pounds to a car by smashing it up with a baseball bat, before attacking a police officer and leaving him with “claw marks”.

Appearing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court last Wednesday, Russell admitted that on 2nd February at Lynburn Primary School, he falsely represented to police constables that there was a male in possession of a knife, causing officers to devote time and services in the investigation which he knew to be false, depriving the public of their services and rendering the lieges liable to suspicion and accusation of being in a public place while in possession of a knife.

He also admitted that on the same date at Kirkcaldy Police Station, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting, swearing, uttering offensive comments and uttering threats of violence.

Regarding the previous offence, he admitted that on 21st December 2014 at an address in Osprey Crescent, he wilfully or recklessly destroyed or damaged property belonging to another and repeatedly struck a car with a baseball bat or similar item causing damage.

He also admitted that on the same date, at an address in Lomond Crescent, he assaulted a police constable by attempting to punch him on the head and scratching him on the body to his injury.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf told the court how police received a call around 3.30am about a male in the grounds of the primary school in possession of a knife.

“The call handler told police officers the description,” she said. “They saw a person matching the description walking in the grounds, which was the accused. When the officers spoke to the accused, he had his right hand in the rear of his waistband and refused to remove it.” The officers then brought out CS spray, concerned he might have a knife, before he showed them both hands. It then transpired that the accused had made the call himself,” added Ms Yousaf.

When Russell was brought to Kirkcaldy Police Station, he told officers he’d “f****** slit them on the outside”.

Explaining the circumstances around the previous incident, Ms Yousaf said, “The owner of the car heard a bang and smashing glass and looked outside to see the accused with a baseball bat striking the windscreen and wing mirror, causing significant damage.” When the owner approached Russell, he ran away with the bat and police later spoke to him at his home address. An officer attempted to handcuff him and Russell attempted to punch and scratch him on the body, with “claw marks” causing redness to his neck. The vehicle was written off due to the damage, with the value estimated around £865.

Defence solicitor Stephen Morrison said Russell had “significant difficulty with the misuse of alcohol” and that during both offences, he had been under the influence.

He branded the primary school incident a “nonsensical situation, quite idiotic” and said, “He can’t explain why he has done it other than complete inebriation. In sobriety he is exceptionally remorseful. When he slides back onto drink a lot of his motivation flies out the window.” Regarding the damage to the car, he said, “The complainer was due him money and he thought the repayment was not forthcoming. He arrived with the baseball bat and caused the not-insignificant damage to the vehicle.” Sheriff Christopher Shead told Russell that he was “at the threshold of custody” and sentenced him to a 12-month supervision order and 150 hours of unpaid work for the incident with the car. Regarding the offence at Lynburn Primary School, he said it was a “more difficult matter” and deferred sentence until 11th November for a review of the community payback order.