After describing a woman as “a grass” James Armstrong threatened to stab her in the face before mimicking a pistol with his hand, adding that one move of his index finger and she would be dead.
Twenty-four-old Armstrong of Park Crescent, Newtown St Boswells, was jailed for 56 days at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday, after he admitted threatening and abusive behaviour at Old Station Yard, Newtown St Boswells on September 30.
His chilling comments were also heard by the woman’s 83-year-old grandmother, who she was visiting at the time.
Depute fiscal Tessa Bradley told how the woman had gone to visit her grandmother at around 1.30pm.
“The house window looks out onto a car park, and the window was open,” explained Ms Bradley.
“Her grand-daughter spoke to someone she knew, through the window, when Armstrong appeared, walking through the car park.”
After a few minutes, the accused returned and “launched into a tirade of abuse”.
“He was screaming and shouting at her, calling her a f*****g grass,” continued Ms Bradley.
Armstrong told the woman: “You are a grass. That is why your car got done”, before adding, “I am going to batter your Mum’s boyfriend.” Armstrong continued: “I’m going to stab you in the face”.
“He then made a gesture mimicking a pistol with his hand,” explained Ms Bradley.
Armstrong continued: “One pull of my index finger and you will all be dead”.
“All of this was also heard by her grandmother,” added Ms Bradley.
The man she had been talking to, tried to calm the accused, but he walked away, continuing to shout until out of earshot. Police were contacted and attended at Armstrong’s home, telling him he was under arrest.
Solicitor Matt Patrick, representing Armstrong, said his client’s offending was sparked by a comment from the woman.
“This incident began because this lady was hanging out of the window and shouted to him that he was a junkie or a smack head,” said Mr Patrick.
“He says that he lost control and he regrets that,” added the solicitor.
“He has been on medication, but hadn’t taken it, which may go some way to explaining his behaviour,” he added.
Mr Patrick said Armstrong claimed the woman was “giving as good as she got”.
“He is in no doubt that what he did was wrong, and knows that he should just have walked away,” said Mr Patrick.
He said his client had already spent 28 days in custody in relation to the offence.
Sheriff Drummond back-dated the 56-day jail term to September 30, telling Armstrong: “You were on deferred sentence and on bail, and the message just doesn’t seem to get through.”