Incident in Barrhead prompted immediate police intervention
A court in Paisley has heard how a man was detained after being spotted acting "quite manic" in a Barrhead street while brandishing a pair of scissors and repeatedly stabbing a plastic bag.
Prosecutors told Paisley Sheriff Court that the episode occurred at about 5.30pm on Thursday, July 2 in Aurs Glen, Barrhead. The accused, identified in court as James Struthers, admitted being in possession of the scissors when police arrived.
- Location: Aurs Glen, Barrhead
- Date and time: 5.30pm, Thursday 2 July
- Item recovered: pair of scissors with a four-inch blade
- Police officers named in court: PC McFadden and PC Kelly
Procurator fiscal depute Jason Stark outlined the response by officers. He said police were called after a local resident, named in court as witness Cunningham, raised concerns that the man's behaviour might be related to poor mental health and that it presented a danger to others.
"About 5.30pm on Thursday, July 2, the accused was within Aurs Glen, Barrhead, waving scissors around while stabbing a plastic bag and looking quite manic,"
The account in court described how officers arrived swiftly, exited their vehicle and instructed the man to show his hands. PC McFadden took control of the accused while PC Kelly placed handcuffs on him. A subsequent search of the accused and his bag revealed the scissors with a four-inch blade, prosecutors said. According to the Crown, Struthers could not offer "any reasonable excuse" for possessing the implement.
Context and immediate concerns for local residents
While the episode occurred in Barrhead — a short distance from Paisley — it will be of concern to residents across Renfrewshire given the potential for harm when edged weapons are displayed in public. The caller who reported the incident did so because they feared for public safety and thought the behaviour might be driven by mental health issues.
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Accused | James Struthers |
| Item | Scissors (four-inch blade) |
| Reported by | Local resident (named Cunningham in court) |
| Police | PC McFadden, PC Kelly |
| Court | Paisley Sheriff Court |
The reporting lodged in court records also confirms the accused was a prisoner at Low Moss Prison, Bishopbriggs at the time. That detail was given as part of the identification and custody history during the hearing.
Wider pattern of offending noted in court reports
The case was reported alongside references to other recent prosecutions heard in Paisley, reflecting ongoing work by police and prosecutors to address violent and intimidatory behaviour across Renfrewshire. The Crown's description of the Barrhead incident highlighted the potential threat posed by menacing conduct with an edged implement — even where no-one was physically injured — and the importance of rapid police response.
Court proceedings established the factual sequence of events and the reasons for the witness's alarm. The witness declined to provide a formal written statement but gave a verbal account to officers setting out that the accused had been brandishing the scissors within the public roadway and that his bag containing the tool was left on the pavement.
Sentencing remarks and the length of the custodial term were recorded in court, with the report indicating the accused was returned to custody. Further procedural detail and any related community or mental-health assessments will be part of the ongoing court process.
Residents with concerns about similar behaviour in their area are advised to contact Police Scotland in the first instance. Incidents involving edged weapons or behaviour suggesting someone may be a danger to themselves or others continue to be among the priorities for local policing teams in Renfrewshire.
