Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Safety fears after woman in court for phone threats
Airdrie councillor Sophia Coyle has spoken of her “relief” after the woman responsible for a chilling late-night phone call to her family home was arrested and charged.
But the shaken 40- year- old mum- of- three says she is still fearful for her safety and has increased security measures at her house in the wake of her ordeal.
Hollie Cannon, 30, of Cheviot Court in Holehills, was taken into custody last Tuesday, October 4 – the day after the threatening call was made – and admitted her actions at Airdrie Sheriff Court the following day.
During the vile call – which was played as a recording to the Advertiser – crazed Cannon could be heard issuing frightening statements to Ms Coyle which included threats to “chop her head off” and “kick her f****** head in”, as well as accusing her of having an affair with another local politician.
The revolting rant was also heard by Ms Coyle’s petrified teenage daughter and the Airdrie North representative says her family is still struggling to come to terms with the troubling incident.
Ms Coyle told the Advertiser: “It is a relief that the culprit has been found and it gives us slight peace of mind.
“But I am still quite paranoid when I go outside that someone is going to approach me and threaten me – or worse.
“We have had to tighten up security at the house and my family and I have to be more vigilant with certain things that we do.
“I had to cancel some of my surgeries last week, which I really don’t like doing, but the police advised me not to attend them.
“It was probably for the best as I would have been wary about every woman who came to speak with me, and I don’t like turning anyone away from my surgeries.
“The police have since shown me a picture of the woman who made the threatening call and thankfully things have returned to some kind of normality on that front, though, since the arrest.”
Ms Coyle added: “This is something that I never envisaged happening and hopefully I will never have to go through anything like it ever again.
“As the woman responsible pled guilty, I didn’t have to attend court, which I was very grateful for, and I will await the outcome of her sentencing at court with interest.”
Sentencing on Cannon was deferred by Sheriff Sara Matheson until October 26 for other matters calling and she was ordered to refrain from using her mobile phone in the meantime.