Man blamed being forced into homeless accommodation for getting into trouble

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A serial offender blamed being forced into homeless accommodation for getting into trouble againGeorge Wilson was jailed for 26 months after being caught with a weapon for the ninth time.

He claimed he armed himself with a kitchen knife for protection after being threatened and assaulted at Motherwell's Airth Court homeless complex.

The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now. Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Wilson, 49, admitted illegal possession of a blade on December 22.Hamilton Sheriff Court heard police officers detained him for a search in relation to another matter.

He told them he had a knife which was found in his trousers pocket.Defence lawyer Alan Murray admitted Wilson's long criminal record "does him no favours", but said he'd kept out of trouble for 18 months after serving his last prison sentence.Mr Murray said: "That period was the longest he's been at liberty for a number of years."He puts that down to being able to stay in digs in Motherwell, but when the person he lodged with became ill my client had to leave."In my experience he gets into trouble when he mixes with the wrong people."He went to live at Airth Court which, on the whole, does a good job.