A GREENOCK sheriff has shown leniency to a Syrian refugee convicted of making death threats whilst in possession of a knife — after noting the hardships he endured in his homeland.

Abdul Omar was also found guilty at trial of throwing a disposable barbecue at another Syrian man at Lunderston Bay in an offence that was said to have been religiously aggravated.

However, lawman David Pender decided not to jail Omar, 39, and instead imposed a community payback order for him to be kept under supervision by social workers for 12 months.

Sheriff Pender told him: "I've read the background report and I am aware of the very difficult existence you had in your home country, and it is clear that these experiences sometimes dictate the way in which you behave.

"One of the functions of the court is to punish wrongdoers, but it can often be the case that the court takes the opportunity to assist offenders in the hope that they do not offend again.

"Given what I regard as your exceptional background I propose to deal with this case in this way — a community payback order with 12 months supervision.

"It is imperative that you take the advice of the social work department and comply with their instructions.

"If you fail to comply then the court will get a report and you will be brought back here and I may have to deal with this matter in another way."

Omar, whose address was not given in court, was convicted of shouting, swearing, acting aggressively, making threats to kill, taking possession of a knife and walking towards the other man.

He was found guilty of throwing the barbecue at the man in an assault which left him injured on July 25, 2021.

Omar continues to protest his innocence.

His lawyer, Paul Keenan, told the court: "It is perhaps not unusual for a person to sustain the position they held at trial.

"He was in possession of a small knife but says it was for fruit.

"He denies threatening anyone with it and throwing a barbecue."

Mr Keenan added: "This could be viewed as an isolated incident.

"He has obviously been through a lot in his life and he suffers both mentally and physically."

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