A Wishaw dad grabbed a knife during a row with his partner in the early hours of the morning.
The woman later told police officers that “nothing had happened” and it was “a joke” that they had been called.
But a sheriff this week expressed concern at the incident, given Stuart McGowan’s record for knife crime.
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McGowan, 33, of Main Street, Cambusnethan, appeared from custody at Hamilton Sheriff Court.
He admitted threatening or abusive behaviour towards the woman at her home in Tinto Crescent, Wishaw, on October 15.
John Coogan, prosecuting, said a 16-year-old girl was present when McGowan and his partner started arguing in the kitchen around 2am.
The fiscal stated: “The accused became agitated and took a kitchen knife from a drawer. He moved towards the woman while shouting and swearing at her.
“The teenage girl managed to get the knife from him and placed it back in the drawer.”
The teenager contacted an 18-year-old male who went to the house and saw she was “visibly shaking”.
The accused was still shouting and swearing at his partner.
McGowan again took a knife from the drawer and left the house. Police found him a short distance away, but there was no sign of a blade.
Mr Coogan added: “The woman told police officers she thought it was a joke that they had been called, saying the 18-year-old had overreacted and nothing had happened.
“But the youth said he sleeps with a hammer under his bed due to his fear of the accused.”
McGowan was jailed last year for trying to stab a man in Wishaw.
Defence agent Stephen MacBride said that at the time of the latest incident his mental health had been poor and he had been drinking.
He stressed: “It’s accepted by the Crown that he had the knife only with the intention of harming himself.”
McGowan has been in custody since his arrest in October and has been taking steps to address his issues.
Mr MacBride added: “His partner has been visiting him in prison three times a week and I have letters of support from her and the teenagers. He appears to have turned the corner.”
Sheriff Andrew McIntyre deferred sentence until next month for background reports and remanded McGowan in custody.
The sheriff told him: “You have a very bad record for possession of knives.
“No matter the circumstances on this occasion, I’m concerned by what happened in the house that night, the volatile nature of it and the risk to those who were there.”
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