Jobseeker attacks security guard

Gary Montgomery pled guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court

A jobseeker went berserk at a benefits office in Edinburgh and threatened to stab a security guard in the eye with a pen, a court has heard.

Gary Montgomery, 41, became angry after being told he would lose some benefit entitlement for missing an appointment at the Job Centre Plus due to illness.

He grabbed Benjamin Huggins by the throat and threatened to stab him with a pen before punching him in the face.

Montgomery pled guilty to assault at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday.

He will be sentenced next month after background reports are compiled.

A struggle ensued and the accused grabbed Mr Huggins by the throat and threatened to stab him in the eye with a pen Fiscal depute Gerard Drugan

He had missed an appointment the day before and had failed to sign on previously, said fiscal depute Gerard Drugan, prosecuting.

A member of staff at the centre, in High Riggs, Edinburgh, told him he would have to fill in forms and would lose some benefit entitlement as a result.

Montgomery became angry and was asked to leave when he refused to calm down.

"He was approached by a security guard and advised to leave," said Mr Drugan.

"A struggle ensued and the accused grabbed Mr Huggins by the throat and threatened to stab him in the eye with a pen which he had held in his clenched right fist above Mr Huggins' head.

"The accused then punched Mr Huggins' once to the jaw."

Felt 'aggrieved'

Montgomery was then taken to the door by other security guards and left but was later arrested.

His defence solicitor, Phil Moore, said Montgomery had missed the appointment the day before due to illness and had phoned staff to inform them.

He said he had been "aggrieved" at being penalised and asked to fill in forms as a result.

"The security guard was very rough with him and had forced his arms up his back to the extent he was bruised," said Mr Moore.

"When he was released he struck the security guard."

The court was told the security guard had not been injured by the punch.

Sheriff Nigel Morrison, QC, said: "An assault in a job centre involving members of staff is a serious matter and I'm going to get reports before dealing with you."

Montgomery, from Edinburgh, will remain on bail until sentencing.