Knife thug caught with blade because he was run down by car in street
- Rory Cassidy
- Jun 26
- 2 min read
A man was caught carrying a knife and breaking his bail curfew - because he was run over by a car.
Joseph Docherty was outwith his home during his curfew while armed with a knife.
And the weapon was discovered because the 34-year-old was struck by a car while crossing the road.
The details emerged on Friday, June 26, 2026, when Docherty appeared in the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court over the incident.
He pleaded guilty to two charges, breaking his bail conditions by being outwith his home during his bail curfew hours, and possession of a knife in a public place.
Procurator Fiscal Depute Decla O'Connor explained: "At around 8.15pm on Sunday, March 1, 2026, the accused was crossing High Street, Johnstone, when he was knocked down by a vehicle.
"The collision was witnessed by Curtis Ellis and Paul McIntosh. The witness Ellis observed the accused to stand up following the collision.
"The accused bent over and the witness observed a black handled knife in the rear of the accused's trouser waistband.
"The witness Paul McIntosh assisted the accused and a member of the public took the knife off the accused and placed it nearby, under a parked motor vehicle.
"The police attended and were directed to the knife under the parked car. Police seized the knife, which had a six-inch blade.
"Police checks confirmed that the accused was subject to a 7pm to 7am bail order, which he was in breach of.
"He was conveyed to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment to his injuries.
"At 8am the following morning, he was cautioned and charged and made no reply.
"He was held in custody to appear at Paisley Sheriff Court."
He appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court on Tuesday, March 3, in connection with the case and was remanded in custody.
Defence Sam Anderson told Sheriff Bruce Erroch KC that Docherty had been remanded in custody in connection with the case between March 3 and April 17.
On April 17 he was jailed for 90 weeks in connection with another case and was due to be released around November.
She told Sheriff Erroch he would need to take the time Docherty had spent on remand into consideration when imposing sentence.
Sheriff Erroch called for background reports to be prepared ahead of sentence and adjourned the case until next month.
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