A Paisley man has admitted racially abusing a shopkeeper and then being found in possession of a knife on two separate occasions.
Matthew McCool, 29, appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court via video link from Low Moss Prison and admitted making racial comments to Zeeshan Saeed on December 8, 2020 and being in possession of a knife on December 9, 2020, and June 8 last year.
Procurator Fiscal David McDonald told Paisley Sheriff Court: “Around 3.50pm on December 8, 2020, Zeeshan Saeed was on duty in Best One when the accused entered.
“Mr Saeed had cause to confront the accused for stealing.
“Both began demonstrating with each other and the accused’s behaviour escalated and he began shouting, swearing and acting in an aggressive manner.
“He stated, ‘Your shoes are dirty, you’re dirty and you’re a black b*****d.’
“The accused then stated, ‘I’ll see you outside and I’ll see you in the morning when you open.’
“Police were contacted and the accused left.
“Officers viewed CCTV and although it didn’t record sound, it showed McCool at the shop acting aggressively.
“Around 3pm on December 9, 2020, officers had reason to apprehend McCool in Gilmour Street.
“As he was apprehended he was seen to discard a white handled kitchen knife with a five-inch blade.
“He was placed under arrest and processed in the usual manner.
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“Around 3pm on June 8, 2021, officers were on plain-clothed patrol in an unmarked car.
“Officers saw the accused on a footpath outside an address in Brown Street and in the company of other males.
“Officers had cause to approach and they seen the accused remove a sharply pointed silver object from the waistband of his trousers and put it into a yellow drawstring bag of another male.
“The handle which was protruding from the bag was covered in black electrical tape.
“Once removed, it was confirmed the item was a knife and the male stated, ‘That’s not mine. Why did you put that in my bag?’
“McCool was searched and arrested. The knife recovered had a 12cm blade.”
Defence agent David Nicholson told the court that at the time of the offence at the store in St James' Street McCool had been struggling significantly with a heroin habit.
He also told the court: “Mr McCool’s life was chaotic at the time of the offence.
“In relation to the shop incident, he felt he was subject of a false accusation that he had shoplifted.
“He hadn’t shoplifted and he is now ashamed and sorry for his conduct on that day.”
Sheriff Gillian Craig adjourned the diet to call for a full criminal justice social work report and a restriction of liberty order assessment until March 4.
McCool, who normally lives in Renfrew Road, was remanded meantime.
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