BARRY BUCHANAN AND HIS SHOCKING THREATS AT GRANGEMOUTH SOCIAL WORK OFFICE

Barry Buchanan, a 47-year-old sex offender who is under a public protection order, is currently facing potential imprisonment after a disturbing incident at the Brockville social work office in Falkirk. The incident involved Buchanan entering the office armed with two knives and a pair of scissors, raising serious safety concerns for staff and others present.

According to court proceedings, the event unfolded around 9:00 a.m. on March 1st of this year. Buchanan was being supervised by social workers following a prior disturbing incident where he had offered a group of schoolgirls 250 pounds to perform oral sex and had threatened to slit the throat of a child. On the day in question, he arrived at the social work office in Falkirk, where his supervisor greeted him at the door and subsequently allowed him into the premises. Several social workers were present at the time, creating a tense environment.

Prosecutor Kristina Kelly explained that during a conversation with his supervisor, Buchanan produced a knife from a carrier bag and made alarming statements, saying, 'I've got this to slash somebody if they come near me.' Despite being advised to leave the knife at reception, Buchanan initially refused, claiming he needed it 'for cutting meat.' After some discussion, he complied and left the knife at the reception desk, although he continued to display threatening behavior.

Buchanan was then taken into an interview room with his supervisor. During a subsequent comfort break, other staff members overheard him making references to 'slashing' and similar violent phrases. The situation escalated when he produced a pair of scissors from the same carrier bag, stating, 'I've also got these.'

The scene further intensified when a police officer arrived to join the interview as Buchanan was being monitored under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA), which involves the collaborative effort of Police Scotland and social services. As the officer approached, a female social worker went to reception to facilitate the interaction.

At this point, Miss Kelly noted that Buchanan reached into his carrier bag again and produced a Stanley knife. He reportedly said that if the officer was 'uniform,' he would 'kick off,' and used the word 'slash' again. When assured that the officer was not in uniform, Buchanan placed the Stanley knife into his jacket pocket and handed it over to the officer.

Buchanan, who appeared via video link from Low Moss Prison, where he is currently detained, pleaded guilty to possessing the knives and scissors in a public place without a reasonable excuse. The court heard that Buchanan is a known sex offender from Grangemouth, previously residing in Larbert, Stirlingshire.

Defence solicitor Georgia Carey explained that Buchanan suffers from alcohol-induced brain damage, which contributes to his erratic behavior. She acknowledged that bringing the weapons into the social work office was not a rational decision.

Sheriff Simon Collins QC decided to defer sentencing until June 24th to allow for the preparation of background reports. The sheriff also continued Buchanan's remand in custody, suggesting that jail time appeared to be the most probable outcome. Despite the serious nature of the offense—carrying three bladed weapons into a social work office—the sheriff noted that Buchanan handed over the weapons without resistance once challenged, describing the situation as peculiar but noteworthy.

This incident follows a prior serious episode in June 2021, when Buchanan was placed under social work supervision for one year, registered as a sex offender for five years, and required to wear an electronic tag following his inappropriate behavior involving schoolgirls in Stenhousemuir, Stirlingshire. During that incident, Buchanan approached the girls, aged 13 to 15, in the early evening, rubbing white powder on his gums before making sexualized threats, including telling a 15-year-old, 'I'll slit your neck, you s***.' He later approached another group of children, aged 12 to 14, threatening to cut a girl's throat and then pulling down his trousers before leaving the scene when a parent arrived.