Men in court after cops seal off Letham street

Aug 29 2008 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

TWO men appeared in private at Perth Sheriff Court this week – one on firearms charges – after an incident which led to police cordoning off a street in the Letham area of the city on Monday afternoon.

Before the court were 46-year-old Russell Stuart Steele, of Campsie Road, Perth, but whose bail address was given as Kirkhall Road, Almondbank, and 47-year-old Roderick Edmond Cameron, of Campsie Road.

Steele has been charged with assaulting Janus Janicki, c/o Tayside Police, by pointing a firearm at his head in the common close at 9 Campsie Road on August 25.

A second charge alleges that he had a firearm in his possession in the close, with intent to cause Mr Janicki to believe that unlawful violence would be used against him.

A third charge alleges that Steele was in possession of a firearm – an air rifle – in the close.

Cameron appeared on just one charge – attempting to pervert the course of justice.

It is alleged that he uplifted an air rifle and cover from a house in Campsie Road and took it to The Welcome Inn, where he concealed it, knowing it had been used in the commission of a crime.

It is further alleged that when questioned by two police officers regarding the whereabouts of the firearm, he denied knowing of its existence and also denied he had been in the house at Campsie Road.

The charge further states that the truth was that Cameron had been there and had removed and then concealed the weapon, all with intent to pervert the course of justice.

Both men were represented by Perth solicitor Paul Ralph.

Neither made any plea and they were both freed on bail.

Steele had two special conditions imposed. He has been banned from entering Campsie Road and ordered not to approach the alleged complainer, Mr Janicki.