Drug addict jailed for hospital threats

A foul- mouthed addict who threatened women working at Monklands Hospital has been jailed for nine months.

Homeless Ronald Young was caught with a knife on his old home street of Pentland Court, Holehills, on July 18 last year, claiming he had it for his own protection.

The 41-year-old hindered clinical support workers at the hospital’s A&E department on June 26 this year by shouting, swearing and pushing a table across a room.

During an appearance at Airdrie Sheriff Court a month later Young’s solicitor Roberto Manini said: “He has started using heroin. A drug treatment and testing order may be of some assistance.”

Young pled guilty to both offences and was given the opportunity of being assessed for a drug treatment and testing order.

He returned to the dock last week, when Mr Manini said his client was homeless and “wanted both cases dealt with today” after attempts at a drug assessment had failed.

Mr Manini added: “He has been fighting alcohol for some time. He has no recollection of the first incident and knows he is going to have to sort his own demons himself but he is trying to get matters to hand.”

Sheriff Petra Collins told Young she had no option but to send him to jail, saying: “On the knife charge, under the circumstances, I will impose a sentence of five months in prison, reduced from seven months due to your plea.

“On the other matter you will be sentenced to four months in prison, reduced from six, for a total of nine months in prison.

“This will be backdated to October 3, when you were taken into custody.”