A KNIFEMAN who sparked a police riot-gear swoop on public toilets in Gourock while armed with three blades has been jailed.

John Canney, 34, locked himself in a cubicle at the conveniences in the town’s Shore Street with the weapons while an unwitting member of the public was using a neighbouring compartment.

A large number of officers — complete with protective shields — stormed the lavatory building before Canney booted open his door and shouted ‘Come on then!’.

Greenock Sheriff Court heard how the police were forced to use CS spray on the out-of-control multiple offender, who was heavily under the influence of drink and drugs and had been released early from a prison sentence on another knife matter.

A grieving Canney — whose sister died at the age of just 32 in January while he was still behind bars — inexplicably armed himself with a twin-bladed adapted kitchen carver and a lockback knife before boarding a train from Cartsdyke to Gourock in the middle of the afternoon.

Procurator fiscal depute Pamela Brady told how police were alerted to the developing situation after Canney was spotted carrying what initially appeared to be a ‘butcher’s knife’.

Mrs Brady said: “The information was that the male was still within the toilets and officers were told to enter using protective shields.

“They saw that both toilet cubicles appeared to be locked.

“The officers shouted that they were the police and they instructed whoever was in the cubicles to come out.

“One male didn’t come out and the other was advised to remain within his cubicle for safety reasons. The other male swore at the police and told them, ‘This blade is going into one of you’.

“The accused kicked open the cubicle door and he had a large kitchen knife which had been adapted with a blade at either end in his right hand.

“He had a red-coloured lockback knife in his left hand.

“The police instructed him to drop them but the accused continued to be aggressive, puffed his chest out, swore at the police again and said, ‘Come on then’.

“The police took the view that their own safety was compromised. They used spray in two short bursts in an attempt to bring the accused under control.”

As Canney retreated into the cubicle the officers leaned on the door in order to keep him confined within it as they told the other man to leave.

A tense stand-off then ensued as Canney refused to give up his weapons despite repeated requests from the police. He swore at the officers again telling them to go away and declared: “I’m drinking my Buckfast.”

Canney also stated: “I swear I’m going to put this blade through one of you.”

He finally slid the knives under the toilet door and opened it to be ‘immediately seized’ by the police. Prosecutor Mrs Brady said: “The accused continued to shout and swear at the police and was struggling with them as he was being arrested.

“A spit hood was applied to him as a precaution. It took several officers to remove him to a waiting cell van.

“He was not cautioned and charged due to his aggressive behaviour.”

Canney committed the offences shortly after 3pm on February 3 — less than a month after being released from prison on licence.   

His defence lawyer, Gerry Keenan, said: “On January 2 his sister, at the age of 32, died unexpectedly.

“It is self evident that this was something of a shock for Mr Canney and it caused him a great deal of upset because he was incarcerated at the time.

“He lost another sister when she was 13 and he was only eight.

“Mr Canney struggled thereafter and drugs have become a feature in his life. On February 3 he was in effect missing.

“His family had no idea where he was and there was concern about his state of mind.

“Mr Canney consumed drugs and had taken alcohol.

“He does not know why he armed himself and embarked on this journey, other than he was grossly impaired and unable to think clearly.

“He is sorry for the upset caused to his family which has added to the troubles visited upon them since the turn of the year.”    

Sheriff Iain Fleming returned Canney to prison for the remaining 137 days of his previous sentence – and told him that he will serve a further term of 15 months for his latest blade offences.