Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Leona Greenan

Blantyre man claims pepper spray purchase was for 'protection'

A Blantyre man claimed he armed himself with an illegal pepper spray after intruders nearly killed him in the dead of night.

When police officers seized the can, Craig Simpson said 'I got assaulted with a sword and you're telling me I can't buy that off eBay so I can protect myself in my own home?'

Simpson, of Calder Streeet, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday.

The 42-year-old admitted breaching the Firearms Act by possessing a canister containing the irritant capsaicin at his then home in Nursery Place on February 4.

The court heard police and paramedics went to the house because of concerns about Simpson.

Police officers spotted a container of 'Commander Strong' pepper spray among cans of deodorant and other items on top of a chest of drawers.

Simpson, 42, of Calder Streeet, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday. (Lanarkshire Live)

When challenged about what is classed as a prohibited weapon, Simpson replied 'I got sprayed by pepper spray myself while me and my partner were sleeping.

'Somebody broke in through the window at half past three in the morning.

'They gave me multiple fractures to the skull. I had bleeding to the brain and have a brain injury.

'I have PTSD. The CID are looking into it. I'm in fear for my life.'

Sheriff Colin Dunipace deferred sentence on Simpson until next month for a criminal justice social work report and an electronic tagging assessment.

He was allowed to remain on bail.

**Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

And did yo u know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head over to our page to give us a like and share.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.