Teenager given '˜last chance' after being caught with knife

Edinburgh Sheriff Court. File picture: Ian Georgeson

Jessica McGinnis had the ten-inch kitchen knife hidden inside a jacket pocket when she was picked up by police officers in Musselburgh High Street earlier this year.

McGinness told officers she was carrying the blade and wanted to be arrested as she had “no life on the outside”.

Previously the court was told McGinness had been released from prison for an earlier knife possession charge just days before the Musselburgh incident.

She pleaded guilty to the charge at an earlier hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

The 19-year-old, who appeared in court from custody, has now been issued with a “last chance” by a sheriff after she was sentenced on Monday.

Sheriff Kenneth Maciver placed the knife thug on an 18-month community payback order which will entail her having to carry out certain requirements.

Firstly, Sheriff Maciver told McGinness she must attend social work appointments and any future dates with the Willow Project.

She also has to take any medication provided to her and has been barred from carrying any item which could be used to commit acts of self-harm.

Sheriff Maciver said his decision not to jail McGinness was due to her “posing more of a problem to herself than others” while in possession of a blade.

Sheriff Maciver said: “I believe you don’t carry a knife to damage other people but to cause damage to yourself. This is your last chance.”