Masked 'knight' in homemade armour pulled out a knife before police dog bit him

14 June 2023 , 23:19

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Robert Soutar was wearing a homemade suit of armour

A masked 'knight' wearing a homemade suit of armour who was spotted brandishing a knife at a popular tourist spot in Dundee has been jailed.

Robert Soutar had fashioned body armour out of old metal plates, lids, books and a chopping board before heading to Dundee Law at midnight.

But his armour failed to protect him from police dog Rocky who flushed him out hiding in the undergrowth and sank his teeth into him.

Officers had not been able to spot the black-clad 'knight' hiding, but heard him screaming: "I'm here - the dog bit me."

Soutar, 37, from Dundee, admitted having a knife on Dundee Law, overlooking the city, shortly after midnight on 9 January last year.

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Robert Soutar was jailed at Dundee Sheriff Court (PA)

Fiscal depute Lynn Mannion told Dundee Sheriff Court on Tuesday that Soutar was spotted on the hilltop by motorists who were driving past, reported the Daily Record.

He was reported to police by a number of people because of his unusual appearance and the fact he was wielding a large kitchen knife with a seven-inch blade.

"He was standing near the toilet block," Ms Mannion said.

"He had a large kitchen knife in his hand. He was wearing a black facemask and jacket. Police arrived and saw the accused on the steps of the toilet block. He was holding a shiny object which was illuminated by the vehicle headlights.

"Officers shouted at him to drop the knife, but the accused turned and ran up the steps until he went out of sight. Officers and PD Rocky began to track the accused.

"They went through a densely wooded area. Ten minutes later he was traced by PD Rocky, lying down at the bottom of a steep slope. He shouted 'I'm here - the dog bit me.'

"Officers made their way to the accused and he was placed in handcuffs. The accused was wearing makeshift body armour. It consisted of metal plates containing books, a metal lid and a chopping board."

Solicitor Kevin Hampton, defending, said: "He was hearing voices and it is bizarre behaviour. There was a background of drug abuse - that played a part.

"It has to be accepted that substances were taken. He was hearing voices and felt under threat and under attack and armed himself to defend himself."

Sheriff Alistair Carmichael said: "This is a serious offence. You were in a public place after midnight with a knife and wearing homemade body armour. I note there was an element of paranoia, but it was you who chose to take drugs."

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He jailed Soutar for 14 months.

Gordon Currie