HENRY MCDONALD FROM SPITTALFIELD THREATENS NEIGHBOURS WITH PICK AXE IN STREET ROW

Henry McDonald, a 25-year-old resident of Spittalfield, found himself embroiled in a series of troubling incidents that culminated in a threatening display involving a pick axe. The events unfolded at his former home in Spittalfield, where tensions had been escalating due to ongoing issues with a local motorist known for speeding through the neighborhood at all hours.

On May 13 of the previous year, McDonald was reported to have behaved in a threatening and abusive manner outside his residence. Witnesses described how he stood at the end of his driveway, clutching a pick axe, and shouted at neighbors in a confrontational manner. Court proceedings at Perth Sheriff Court revealed that McDonald was frustrated with a particular driver who repeatedly sped past his home, disturbing the peace and causing concern for the safety of his children.

According to the prosecution, Elizabeth Hodgson, the fiscal depute, stated that around 10 pm to 10:30 pm, a neighbor was inside her first-floor bedroom when she heard McDonald shouting in the street. She observed him standing beside his pickup truck, wielding the pick axe, and shouting obscenities such as “F*** your mother, mongos.” In a display of agitation, McDonald then punched the side of his vehicle. He continued his tirade by shouting at the neighbor, asking, “What are you looking at?”

Further disturbing the scene, the neighbor’s partner, who was on the ground floor, looked out the window and saw McDonald standing with the pick axe, staring up at the property. The partner confronted him, asking, “Who do you think you are, speaking to a woman like that?” McDonald responded aggressively, inviting him outside with the words, “Come outside and I’ll show you. F***ing come out.” He also directed threats towards the partner and his vehicle, saying, “You f***ing mongo. I’ll smash you up and your car.” Witnesses reported seeing McDonald hold the pick axe in his right hand and brandish it towards them during the altercation, prompting police to be called to the scene.

Defense solicitor David Holmes explained that McDonald’s actions stemmed from his concern over the speeding motorist and the potential danger posed to his children. Holmes stated, “Mr McDonald had a problem with a neighbour speeding up and down the street at all hours of the day. He was worried about the effect on his children, the potential risk for them and that they would be woken up through the night.” He added that McDonald decided to take the pick axe outside to confront the issue, acknowledging that he expressed himself inappropriately.

In a separate incident six months later, McDonald was convicted of assaulting his girlfriend by scratching her face and grabbing her by the body, causing injury. Although he denied the attack, the court found him guilty after a trial. The court also heard that McDonald was still struggling with the grief of losing his father, which may have contributed to his behavior.

Sheriff Alison McKay addressed McDonald directly, emphasizing the seriousness of his actions: “We can’t have you running around brandishing a pick axe. And because there is a victim involved, that does take it to the threshold that I have to consider an alternative to custody.”

As a result, McDonald, of Manse Crescent, Stanley, was sentenced to perform 100 hours of unpaid community work and placed under supervision for a year, marking a stern but alternative approach to incarceration given the circumstances.