Lossiemouth man was caught carrying knife and knuckleduster by police
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A LOSSIEMOUTH man who was found to be carrying offensive weapons during two police searches has been sentenced.
Elgin Sheriff Court heard that on November 16 2022, 18-year-old Craig McTaggart was searched by police while he was at a cash machine and a gold knuckleduster was discovered in his pocket.
Police again searched McTaggart on May 15 2023, just hours after he had been in a physical alteration with another man in Lossiemouth's St Margaret's Crescent and discovered a black handled knife in his backpack.
McTaggart was also charged with two counts of threatening or abusive behaviour towards his ex-partner, who had called police on two occasions after he had demanded entry into her house.
Defence solicitor Iain Maltman said McTaggart had been dealing with substance abuse issues for some time. Adding: "He accepts misuse of drugs is not an excuse and has been carrying weapons for protection. It is a lifestyle he has – given his age – already been involved for too long."
Sheriff David Sutherland ordered McTaggart to carry out a community payback order, with one year supervision where he must engage with drug and alcohol services.
