A MAN is facing a lengthy jail term after he brandished a knife at three naval personnel from Faslane.

Patrick Kelly also challenged the trio to fight during the incidents at two takeaway outlets in the centre of Helensburgh.

Kelly, whose address in court papers was given as Prisoner of Low Moss, Bishopbriggs, appeared from custody at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to two charges on the indictment.

On November 3 last year, at Flamingos Takeaway, in Helensburgh’s East Princes Street, and at the Oriental Express takeaway, on West Clyde Street, Kelly behaved in a threatening or abusive manner, which was likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear and alarm and that he did shout, swear, utter threats of violence, challenge three men to fight, act in an aggressive manner, brandish a knife or similar instrument at them and place them in a state of fear and alarm.

Kelly further admitted being in a public place, namely the Oriental Express takeaway, on the same evening, whilst in possession of an offensive weapon, namely a knife or similar instrument.

Kelly’s not guilty plea to assaulting two men in the Oriental Express and attempting to strike them with a knife or similar instrument was accepted by the Crown.

Fiscal depute Sarah Healing outlined the background to the case, saying: “Around 9pm in the evening the complainers were in attendance and they left Faslane Naval Base and went to a takeaway in two vehicles.”

The court was told how one of the complainers purchased some food from a takeaway and then went to a cashline machine.

The witness was standing outside the takeaway but his attention was drawn to two males walking towards him, one of whom was the accused.

Ms Healing continued: “Kelly was being particularly aggressive and shouting in his face and goading him to fight.

“He uttered threats and said: ‘Do you want to start a fight with me?’”

The court was told how Kelly’s companion tried to defuse the situation and repeatedly apologised for his behaviour.

Ms Healing added: “The witness got into a car which was parked outside, intending to leave the area as he thought Mr Kelly was going to attack him.

“Mr Kelly was heard to say: ‘I am going to smash you up’.

“The witness drove off but in his rear mirror he saw the accused shouting and chasing him along the street.”

The other two complainers went to Flamingos but later the accused and his friend also attended.

Ms Healing said: “The accused spoke to another member of the public who was standing in the queue.

“However, as the complainers left the premises he [Kelly] began gesticulating as if to try to get a reaction from them.

“The complainers left the premises without purchasing anything because they felt threatened and went to the Oriental Express, which is another takeaway.

“The accused walked past and saw them [the two witnesses] in the premises and then asked them if they had a white Audi, being a reference to the witness’s vehicle.

“One of the complainers stood outside to keep an eye on his car but the accused was also standing near the premises along with another two males.

“The accused marched up to him, stating he was going to ‘fill him in’ which the complainer took to be a threat to attack him. The accused began pacing up and down saying, ‘I am going to cut you’.

“At this stage the accused clenched his fists but protruding from one of them was a shiny metal blade, about one inch wide.”

The court was told how Kelly’s friend stepped in and told him: “Put it away, I don’t want to go back to jail.”

Ms Healing said:“His intervention allowed the witness to go back into the Oriental Express but the accused followed him, still having the blade between his fingers.

“The accused followed and the accused continued to be aggressive towards both witnesses.

“He was shouting, swearing and brandishing a knife, so the complainers immediately left and contacted police.”

The court was also told how investigations were carried out and the accused was eventually traced.

Ms Healing said: “On November 5 officers observed the accused and were aware that colleagues wanted to speak to him.

“He was taken to Clydebank police office and en route he told officers the incident was ‘just a daft wee argument with sailors’.”

However, Sheriff William Gallacher took a dim view of Kelly’s behaviour, saying to the accused: Your behaviour was unacceptable and your record, being so young, is an absolute disgrace.”

Sentence was deferred until March 16 in order to obtain a social work report and to ascertain whether Kelly is suitable for a period of supervision upon his eventual release. The accused will remain in custody until that time.