‘Paranoid’ man hid baseball bat down leg of his trousers

Mar 18 2009 Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

A BARGEDDIE man hid a baseball bat down his trousers because he was “paranoid about being attacked”.

Airdrie Sheriff Court heard that police on patrol saw Peter McGuinness (38), of Coatbridge Road, and a female walking along a footpath .

They spotted the accused with a baseball bat in his hand and when they approached him they noticed it was down his trousers with the handle sticking out of the waistband.

When officers asked him what the bat was for the accused replied: “You wouldn’t believe it. I’m paranoid about getting attacked. My pal was buried today.”

His defence agent said: “This was out of character. He had come home to attend a funeral and as a consequence a large quantity of alcohol was consumed. He then went to a family birthday party and consumed further alcohol.

“He is not a man who consumes alcohol. His life revolves around work and the gym. When he is home he keeps himself to himself. He works with a company in Dubai and can leave at any time. He makes a considerable quantity of money.

“The alcohol and emotion got the better of him. He said he was walking past the fridge in the kitchen and this item was there. It was a toy and for some unexplained reason he took it home.

“He realises the stupidity of his action. He is in a postion to pay a substanial monetary penalty.”

He added: “He is a man who has recognised the error of his ways.”

Sheriff Morag Galbraith said: “It would have been a fine of £400 but I will reduce it to £300.

McGuinness admitted having the baseball bat, an offensive weapon, in Coatbridge Road, Bargeddie on September 27 last year.