A BRAZEN thug who threatened two men with a knife after he tried to snatch a woman's handbag has been jailed.
Jamie Allan also assaulted a police officer following a foot chase through a nursery school as he looked to avoid arrest.
The 18-year-old pleaded guilty to a total of eight charges when he appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court this week.
It followed a number of incidents which took place across locations in Irvine and Kilmarnock last year.
The first matter took place on October 1 at around 5pm, prosecutor Craig Wainwright told the court.
At this time, a woman was walking back to her car, on Hill Street in Irvine, having finished a day at work when she saw Allan sitting on a wall nearby.
She was then approached by the teen who walked up to her and said "pass it" in a threatening manner. He repeated himself but the woman did not understand what he meant.
Allan then flicked a lanyard which was around her neck before trying to take her bag from around her shoulder.
The woman screamed for help and tried to stop the theft. She was taken to the ground and her bag strap snapped though she managed to keep hold of the item.
A man who was nearby heard these screams and ran over to provide assistance.
Allan then approached the male and produced a Stanley knife which he brandished at him, saying "you want ripped".
Another man who was working nearby also heard the cries for help and came over to the area to assist.
He saw the incident unfold before the teen turned in his direction and pointed the blade towards him. Allan again shouted "you wanting ripped".
At this stage, the woman who was initially targeted managed to escape back to her place of work and request that police be contacted.
Allan remained at the scene brandishing his weapon though one of the two males assisting was able to return to their workplace.
The 18-year-old followed him there and began kicking the premises and striking the front door with his knife.
Officers then responded to the incident but were unable to trace Allan who had made off at this time.
He was, however, located the following day at the doorstep of a property in Kilmarnock.
Cops approached the teen who then ran off and a foot chase ensued. Officers caught up with him in the grounds of Shortlees Nursery School.
A violent struggle then took place and Allan lashed out with his arms and legs at one policeman.
This caused him to fall to the ground and land awkwardly on his wrist. It was later confirmed that he suffered a fracture as a result.
Allan then made off into a wooded area before being cut off by another officer. The teen was grounded before he punched the officer in both the head and body.
The policeman attempted to subdue the 18-year-old by hitting out at him but was then headbutted by Allan.
He was eventually arrested when further support arrived and Allan was calmed.
Another matter was also disclosed to the court which took place on October 29 last year.
A bus driver had been operating a service through the town at this time when Allan tried to get on.
He showed a bus card but once scanned it was flagged and the teen was told he could not use it.
He was asked to pay but refused and ignored requests to leave the vehicle. The driver then turned the engine off and said he would not be going further.
A passenger tried to intervene and told Allan to leave but the teen argued with him, stating he had no money to pay.
Allan then grabbed driver’s arms through latch before the employee broke free and called police.
The teen then left the bus but kept putting his foot on and off the entry point to prevent the vehicle from leaving.
He also spat in a passenger's face and said “next time I see you and you are not with anyone…” before walking off.
Allan was arrested in connection with the offence on November 14 after he was identified via CCTV.
Defending, solicitor Brian Holliman told the court that Allan was due to be sentenced for a number of matters in the coming days.
As a result of this, various background reports had been prepared with regards to the teen.
The lawyer highlighted "long-term concerns" about his capacity and understanding. Reports stated he had levels of understanding similar to that of a six-year-old and communication skills comparable to a child aged four.
"I do not raise this to embarrass him but to show extent of his difficulties," Mr Holliman said. "Reports show a man with very particular vulnerabilities.
"If there is any hope for him not to find himself before the court more regularly these need to be addressed.
"He doesn’t have appropriate coping mechanisms. When challenged his frustrations manifest into disorder and violence.
"These are serious offences that meet and surpass custodial threshold. I cannot invite a disposal other than period in detention but asked that this period be significantly restricted."
Sheriff George Jamieson then sentenced the teen to one year in custody from the date of his hearing on October 21 this year.
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