Serial offender caught with blade in Lanarkshire retail park days after release for knife crime

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A serial Lanarkshire offender was caught with a knife days after being freed after admitting a similar offence.Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that, following his latest arrest, Thomas Talent told police officers 'I promise I'll never carry a knife again'.Talent, 32, appeared from custody and admitted unlawful possession of a blade at Superdrug in Kingsgate Retail Park, East Kilbride, on December 20.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 An allegation that he stole cosmetics from the store was dropped.Scott O'Connor, prosecuting, said the store manager's attention was drawn to Talent about noon.He told the court: "She found an old, dirty flick knife where she had seen him lingering."Earlier in December, Talent was freed from the same court on a community payback order after he admitted shoplifting, threatening or abusive behaviour and possession of a knife.Those crimes were committed in Hamilton town centre in September 2021.The court heard Talent stole goods worth £2,000 from various stores and, when cornered, he produced a knife and told shop staff 'Don't make me use it'.Defence agent Chris Devine said Talent has addiction issues and was living in homeless accommodation prior to his arrest in December.Sheriff Thomas Millar deferred sentence until later this month for background reports and an electronic