Airdrie Sheriff Court casebook - June 22, 2011

Jun 22 2011 Airdrie & Coatbridge

A SHERIFF who jailed an Airdrie woman for spitting at police officers told her: "This was a disgusting piece of behaviour."

At Airdrie Sheriff Court, jailing Tracy Ann Brown, of Milton Court for six months, Sheriff Robert H. Dickson told her: “There is no reason why anyone should put up with this kind of behaviour. There is no alternative to custody.”

The court heard how bar staff in Whiskey Joe’s pub in the High Street noticed the accused was extremely intoxicated and became very aggressive shouting and swearing at customers.

Fiscal-depute Hilary Bell said: “The police were contacted as the staff couldn’t get the accused to leave. On arrival the police arrested her and en route to Bellshill police office she became violent and aggressive and spat on the face of a PC, who was driving, and spat on the face of another constable.

“At the police office she was not cautioned and charged because of her aggressive behaviour.”

The accused’s defence agent Nicky Matteo said: “She is very much ashamed. She has no recollection of events. She mixed medication with alcohol. She suffers from back problems and had taken heavy medication. She is suffering from depression.

“She went out having drunk far too much and has not drunk since the offence. She has two teenage daughters and stays at home all the time. Probation is not an option but I recommend a Restriction of Liberty Order.”

However, Sheriff Dickson said: “Spitting at two police officers. We can’t have that.”

Mr Matteo said: “She is embarrassed and ashamed and apologises to the court.”

Brown admitted conducting herself in a disorderly manner, shouting, swearing and struggling with persons attempting to remove her from the pub and committing a breach of the peace on October 2.

She also pleaded guilty to assaulting PC Alfie MacDonald by spitting on his head and body and assaulting PC Christopher Ballard and spitting on his head and kicking him on the body.

AN Airdrie thief who stole a packet of steaks has had his case continued.

Thomas Haughen (23), of Willow Drive, admitted stealing sirloin steaks worth £10.50 from Morrisons in Airdrie on July 8.

He also pleaded guilty to stealing 13 bottles of Lucozade and a box of 240 Tetley tea bags from BP garage in Carlisle Road, Airdrie, while on bail, on November 1.

AN Airdrie woman who shoplifted while on probation was jailed for six months.

Lynette Curran (38), of Deedes Street, admitted stealing a quantity of Nail Arts sets from Argos Stores, Faraday Retail Park, Coatbridge, while on bail, on March 13.

SENTENCE was deferred on a 35-year-old Coatbridge man who assaulted a council employee.

Robert Black, of Rose Gardens, pleaded guilty to assaulting Martin Murphy, an employee of North Lanarkshire Council, and punching him on his face and kicking him on his leg, to his injury; conducting himself in a disorderly manner, shouting and swearing, pursuing John Clifford and Martin Murphy and swinging a belt in a threatening manner, making threats of violence and committing a breach of the peace at a house in Beechwood Drive, Coatbridge, on June 11 last year.

A COATBRIDGE man was put on probation for two years on a breach of the peace charge.

Sean Paterson (25), of Laurelbank, admitted conducting himself in a disorderly manner and on two occasions shouting and swearing and repeatedly kicking at the door of a house in Laurelbank and making threatening gestures and committing a breach of the peace on July 3.

On a separate complaint he admitted conducting himself in a disorderly manner, shouting and swearing, brandishing a dog chain and repeatedly striking a window with it and committing a breach of the peace, while on bail, at a house in Whifflet Court on September 19.

He also pleaded guilty to resisting, obstructing, molesting and hindering PCs Russell McKeown and Ross McCallum by struggling violently and lashing out with his arms and legs and attempting to resist arrest, while on bail. He admitted assaulting PC Ross MCCallum and kicking him on the body, while on bail.

Psychiatric and addiction counselling reports were also ordered.

THE case of a man who assaulted two police officers was continued for reports.

William Anderson (18), of Shotts, admitted headbutting PC Paul Blair on the right side of the face, while on bail, in Ettrick Court, Dunottar Avenue, Coatbridge, and assaulting sergeant Gregor Hendry and headbutting him to the face, while on bail, on October 16.

He also admitted assaulting Margaret Wilson, c/o Strathclyde police, and pushing her to the ground and striking her head against a wall. He pleaded guilty to resisting PCs Paul Blair, Fiona Wallace, Collette Sutherland and Christopher McErlain and thrash his arms, legs and body and attempting to leave.

In a separate complaint, he admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, shouting and swearing, making threats, throwing a mobile phone at a wall, acting in an aggressive manner, threatening to spit at police officers and resisting, obstructing and hindering PCs Hamilton and Yardley and struggling violently with his arms and body at a house in Ettrick Court, Coatbridge, on October 11.

He also admitted breaking a bail condition.The case was continued for reports.