OAP to pay back fraud cash

A Chapelhall pensioner who fraudulently got his hands on more than £4000 over a five-year period has been given 12 months to prove he can keep out of further trouble - and pay back the cash.

Michael Boyle, 67, failed to notify the Department of Work and Pensions of a change in circumstances between 2009 and 2014.

As a result, he obtained £ 4279 in Pension Credit he wasn’t entitled to and subsequently admitted his guilt at Airdrie Sheriff Court.

Boyle, of Castle Street, reappeared in the dock last Wednesday for sentencing after a deferral for reports into his background.

Mitigating on his client’s behalf, defence solicitor Paul Belardo said: “He has never been in trouble before; there are no other matters outstanding.

“The recommendation made within the social work reports is for admonishment.”

Passing sentence, Sheriff Petra Collins told Boyle: “I will defer sentence for one year and order you to be of good behaviour.

“You will also continue to make repayment in that time.”

The OAP was ordered to return to court on September 13 next year.

Bottle attack

A violent Petersburn woman who hit a man on the head with a bottle has been ordered to pay her victim compensation.

Janet McLean, 51, assaulted the male on Glenacre Drive, also in Petersburn, on September 25 last year.

She pleaded guilty to the shameful attack at Airdrie Sheriff Court and was back for sentencing last Wednesday following a deferral for criminal justice social work reports into her background.

Sheriff Petra Collins then told Glenview resident McLean she would have to pay her stricken victim £200 in compensation.

This was reduced from £ 300 because McLean owned up to her violent actions.

Admitted thefts

A Caldercruix teenager who stole an iPhone and bottle of vodka during two separate incidents has been admonished.

Shannon Stanfield, 19, took the phone from a property on Wood Street, Coatbridge, on May 5 last year.

The quick-fingered thief then made off with the bottle of vodka from the Aldi store on High Street, Airdrie, three months later.

Stanfield, from Park View, entered guilty pleas to both thefts and a period of deferral was ordered to allow her to be of good behaviour.

She made her way back to Airdrie Sheriff Court last Wednesday, when defence solicitor Paul Belardo told the court his client “seems to have pulled her socks up”.

Sheriff Petra Collins then told Stanfield: “Given that you have taken the opportunity to be of good behaviour during the period of deferral, you shall be admonished by the court.”

Breached bail

A dim- witted man who twice breached court bail conditions – on the same day – has been admonished in court.

Liam Love, from Glenboig, began his day of woe on July 23 by defying bail conditions and entering a property on Coll Drive, in the Old Monkland area of Coatbridge, to approach and communicate with a woman.

Just a short time later, Love then breached another location ban by entering Kirk Street, also in Coatbridge, against the orders of the court.

Twenty- year- old Love, from Sherwood Road, admitted both bail breaches two days later, when sentence was deferred at Airdrie Sheriff Court for background social work reports.

During Love’s reappearance in the dock last week, procurator fiscal Yolande Love told the court: “At 10am, the witness awoke and found the accused in her home address.

“He was angry that she had been drinking the previous night and became heated.

“Police later traced him to the rear garden of his home address.”

Sheriff Petra Collins then admonished and dismissed Love.

Serial shoplifter

A prolific Coatbridge thief who stole from three Monklands stores within a 15- day period is in soapy bubble after he pulled a disappearing act and failed to show up at court for sentencing.

Paul Connelly was determined to enjoy a nightcap on August 1, when he made off with boxes of coffee and hot chocolate from Home Bargains on Graham Street, in Airdrie town centre.

The serial shoplifter then struck at Farmfoods on Bank Street, Coatbridge, where he stole four boxes of washing powder on August 10.

Connelly, 42, ensured he had an unparalleled collection of clean clothing by again stealing four boxes of washing powder six days later; this time from Iceland in Coatbridge’s Quadrant shopping centre.

The Blairgrove Court resident entered guilty pleas to all three shoplifting charges at Airdrie Sheriff Court and he was due back for sentencing last Wednesday.

But defence solicitor Paul Belardo told the court his client failed to appear as scheduled as he had contacted him to say he had “been assaulted last weekend” and required medical treatment.

Sheriff Petra Collins then deferred proceedings until October 5 for Connelly’s personal appearance.

He has never been in trouble before; there are no other matters outstanding – Solicitor Paul Belardo