Benefits cheat OAP is fined

A Craigneuk pensioner caught falsely claiming benefits over a five year period has been hit in the pocket for her actions.

Ann White failed to notify the Department of Work and Pensions and North Lanarkshire Council of a change in circumstances at her Hawthorn Drive home between December 29, 2008, and February 16, 2014.

As a result, the 69-year-old received £4000 in housing and council tax she wasn’t entitled to have.

She owned up to the offence at Airdrie Sheriff Court and has been paying back the money ever since.

The pensioner was back in the dock last Wednesday, when defence solicitor Ian Smart told the court his client had been repaying the funds at a rate of “£20 a week”.

Sheriff Frank Pieri then decided to hit White with a further financial penalty, telling her: “I will fine you £230, which I have reduced from £250 due to your plea of guilt.”

Violent assault

A vicious thug who punched a man on the head has been ordered to carry out unpaid work in the community.

Paul Sutherland assaulted his victim at a property on Larchfield Road in Moodiesburn on September 7.

The violent 30- year- old owned up to his aggressive actions and made his way back into the dock at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week for sentencing after background reports were compiled.

Sutherland, whose address was given as Frankfield Road in Glasgow, was then placed under a community payback order by Sheriff Frank Pieri.

He was told to carry out 160 hours’ unpaid work, reduced from 180 hours, within the next six months.

Admonished

A man who called his ex-partner and uttered violent threats towards her has been admonished.

Stephen Craigon, 52, placed his stunned female victim in a state of fear and alarm by making the chilling phone call from Airdrie Road, in Caldercruix, on September 10 last year.

He entered a guilty plea back in April and sentence was deferred for six months to allow Craigon to be of good behaviour.

Craigon, of Clydebank, returned to Airdrie Sheriff Court last Wednesday, when defence solicitor Nicky Matteo told the court his client had managed to stay clear of trouble since the offence.

Sheriff Frank Pieri then told Craigon: “In the circumstances, you will be admonished and dismissed.”

Cops threatened

A Coatbridge yob who behaved in a threatening and abusive manner and uttered threats of violence towards cops faces a further wait to discover his court punishment.

Alan Dunion repeatedly struck the back door of a house on Lavelle Drive, also in Coatbridge, before demanding entry, shouting and swearing and making offensive remarks.

The aggressive 20-year-old then repeatedly threatened arresting police officers and uttered offensive remarks towards them en-route to Coatbridge police office.

Dunion’s manic behaviour took place on August 7 and he entered a guilty plea at Airdrie Sheriff Court the next day.

A deferral of sentence was then ordered for a restriction of liberty assessment and background reports.

Dunion, of High Coats, reappeared in the dock last Wednesday, but his defence solicitor, Mark Lutton, told the court the reports on his client were not prepared as he had been “in detention” and had “pled guilty on a further matter calling later this month”.

Sheriff Frank Pieri then deferred for a criminal justice social work report and to call alongside other matters until October 24.

Stole from stores

Sentence has been further deferred on a red-blooded Airdrie shoplifter who stole meat from two supermarkets in the town.

Steven Wood made off with his tasty loot from Iceland, on Graham Street, on August 23 and the Aldi store on Manse Place 11 days later.

The quick- fingered 29- year- old admitted both thefts and was due to be sentenced at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week following reports into his background.

But the court heard that reports on Wood were unavailable as he was in custody relating to another matter.

Sheriff Frank Pieri, addressing Wood directly, said: “You have no reports, so your current status will remain as it is and you will remain on remand.

“I will continue for three weeks for the reports.”

Failed to appear

A foul- mouthed lout who hurled verbal abuse towards his ex-partner has failed to appear in court for sentencing.

Alan Watson shouted, swore and uttered a threat at his petrified female victim at a property on Bridgeburn Drive, Moodiesburn, on June 28 last year.

The ill- tempered 37- year- old pleaded guilty to placing the woman in a state of fear and alarm and was due back at Airdrie Sheriff Court for sentencing last week after reports were compiled into his background.

But Watson, from the Shettleston area of Glasgow, failed to appear as scheduled.

Sheriff Frank Pieri deferred further for a community payback order progress report and Watson’s personal appearance until November 2.

I will fine you £230, which I have reduced from £250 due to your plea of guilt – Sheriff Frank Pieri