Shooting threat man found guilty

Williamson was found guilty after trial at Jedburgh Sheriff Court

A man who threatened to shoot a Borders shop owner has been found guilty of four charges of breach of the peace.

David Williamson, 44, of Bongate View, Jedburgh, had denied committing the offences in the town on 30 January.

Jedburgh Sheriff Court heard how he threatened to take a gun into the newsagent's and was then involved in a six-hour stand-off with police.

Sheriff Janys Scott deferred sentence until 26 May for background reports and remanded Williamson in custody.

The court was told he claimed shop owner Carol Walker had been spreading rumours that he was dealing in drugs - an allegation which she denied.

He told her he would be back to shoot her, which prompted a sales representative who was in the shop at the time to telephone police.

A Lothian and Borders Police armed response unit was sent to the house in Bongate View believing Williamson had a gun.

Threatened children

A jury trial heard how he was involved in a lengthy stand-off with police during which he urged armed officers to shoot him.

He also telephoned taxi firm owner Brian Tilbrook, with whom he was in dispute over a £400 debt, and threatened him, as well as threatening to shoot and assault his children.

Williamson had denied all the charges, claiming the Crown had no corroboration and that he was suicidal on the day of the offences.

However, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all four breach of the peace charges.

All the offences were committed while he was on bail from Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.