Neighbours are left stunned by abuse

Woman, 36, delivers verbal volley and racial slur

A boozed-up Shawhead woman fired off a vile torrent of verbal abuse at her neighbours – including a disgusting racial slur – before trying to spit on one of them, a court head last week.

Mary McGuinness threatened to attack her stunned pair of victims from her living room window and then let rip with her foul-mouthed rants.

The 36-year-old later spat at them from the same window of her Balvenie Street home before police were called.

The troubling incident took place on July 27 and McGuinness owned up to her volatile outburst the following day.

A period of deferral followed to allow for reports into her background and McGuinness made her way back to Airdrie Sheriff Court for sentencing last Wednesday.

Procurator fiscal Yolande Love told the court: “At 6.45pm, the witness left her mum’s house to get something from the car.

“She saw the accused at the living room window and saw she was under the influence of alcohol.

“The accused began shouting but the witness couldn’t make out what she was saying.

“The witness’ brother opened the door asking about the noise and the accused shouted at him, ‘don’t you f****** start or I’ll kick f*** out of you’.

“She then shouted at the female witness, ‘you can get to f***; you and your black daughter’.

“The witness replied that this was racist and the accused opened the window and spat towards the witness, narrowly missing her.”

Mitigating on his client’s behalf, defence solicitor Paul Belardo said: “She is thoroughly ashamed of herself, as she should be.

“There is an alcohol problem and drink had been taken that day, on top of medication.”

Passing sentence, Sheriff Derek O’Carroll told McGuinness: “I will impose a community payback order with supervision for a period of two years.

“You will also do 130 hours’ unpaid work.

“This would’ve been 200 hours if not for your plea and you will do it within six months.”

There is an alcohol problem and drink had been taken that day, on top of medication