Screwdriver thug faces life order

Published on 23/01/2013 12:00

A THUG who used a knife and screwdriver to carry out a string of attacks is facing a life sentence.

James Ferguson, 29, a prisoner originally of Tranent, East Lothian, attacked Dean Harvey with a screwdriver at a bus stop on June 2 last year.

Eleven days later, Ferguson chased Mr Harvey and William McKay armed with a knife. Mr McKay was hit on the hand after Ferguson swiped at him with the weapon but suffered “a scratch”.

On June 25, Ferguson approached Lewis Sives, an ex-school classmate, and took out what appeared to be a Stanley knife.

A struggle broke out and Ferguson repeatedly tried to strike him on the body. A witness saw Ferguson in possession of a knife, and heard Mr Sives shouting: “Don’t stab me, don’t f****** stab me.”

On July 5, Ferguson put a large knife against a woman’s head and threatened her, including using words such as: “I swear on my wee boy’s life I’m going to cut you up.”

Ferguson admitted the charges at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday.

Lord Uist called for a full risk assessment to be carried out, which can result in an order for lifelong restriction.

The judge said: “This was quite disgraceful behaviour on your part.”