Offender sellotaped knife to his hand during Bo'ness 'stand off'

A man struggling with the death of his father and alcohol abuse claimed he had weapons and held police officers at bay with a knife which he had taped to his hand.
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Appearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Thursday, James Newbigging (37) had admitted threatening behaviour towards police officers – making offensive gestures, shouting and swearing, stated he had weapons, sellotape a knife to his hand and utter threats of violence – at an address in Mingle Place, Bo’ness on September 20, 2021.

At an earlier court appearance in December last year, defence solicitor Lynn Swan said: “It was a bizarre set of circumstances going on. It happened round about the time of the anniversary of his father’s death. He turned to alcohol, which was part of this whole incident that took place back in September.”

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Police came to Bo'ness to deal with a "stand off" situation with NewbiggingPolice came to Bo'ness to deal with a "stand off" situation with Newbigging
Police came to Bo'ness to deal with a "stand off" situation with Newbigging
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At the time, Sheriff Simon Collins QC referred to the offence as a kind of “stand off” situation between Newbigging and Police which had “alarming circumstances”.

The court heard Newbigging, address listed as Prisoner at Low Moss, had served the equivalent of a six month prison sentence.

Back in December Sheriff Collins placed him on a supervised community payback order for two years with the condition he complete 100 hours unpaid work within 12 months and attend alcohol treatment services.

He was also made subject to a restriction of liberty order, meaning he had to stay in his home between the hours of 7pm and 7am for four months.

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At court on Thursday, Sheriff Derek Livingston allowed Newbigging’s community payback order to continue and made no further order.

*** An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Newbigging was appearing from custody at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Thursday. This is not the case – he was released from custody. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. ***