Terrified parents targeted by son

A Coatbridge yob who threatened his parents and later tried to hit a cop with a shoe has been given six months to prove he can adhere to a court order.

Foul-mouthed Francis Dirkie, 39, shouted, swore and acted aggressively towards his terrified mum and dad at his old home on Barrowfield Street, also in Coatbridge, on September 27.

He also uttered threats to his stricken siblings and placed them in a state of fear and alarm during his troubling tirade.

Dirkie, of Newlands Street, then turned his frustration onto an arresting male police officer at the scene by attempting to strike him with a shoe.

He pled guilty to both charges and returned to face the music at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week following the completion of background reports.

Sheriff Petra Collins heard Dirkie was already under a community payback order and decided to defer sentencing until April 26 next year to allow for a progress report on Dirkie’s order.

Driver’s road ban

A foolish motorist who put lives at risk by getting behind the wheel in a drunken and drugged state has been banned from the road for a year.

John Hunter, 36, was caught driving in an unfit state on Drumcavel Road, near Avenuehead Road, in Chryston on October 11 last year.

He was charged with driving while unfit through drink or drugs and later pleaded guilty at Airdrie Sheriff Court.

Hunter, from Kirkintilloch, was back in the dock last week for sentencing after the completion of reports into his background.

Procurator fiscal Susan Campbell revealed Hunter had made “no reply to being cautioned and charged” by the police following his arrest.

Defence solicitor Luke O’Curry spoke on Hunter’s behalf: “He struggled with his lifestyle at the time and can’t explain his behaviour on the evening [of the incident].”

Sheriff Petra Collins chose to hit Hunter in the pocket for his reckless actions: “I will deal with your case by way of a fine of £300, which I have reduced from £400 due to your plea.

“You will also be disqualified from holding or obtaining a drivers’ licence for a period of one year.”

Stole cosmetics

A Coatbridge shoplifter who stole cosmetics from a pharmacy in the town centre will have to carry out unpaid work in the community.

Brian Morris, 50, made off with a quantity of the goods from Boots chemist, on Main Street, on April 30.

He admitted his brazen actions on August 16 and sentence was deferred for community payback order progress and social work background reports.

Morris, from Merryston Court, was back at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week for sentencing.

During an earlier court appearance last month, then-procurator fiscal Susan Campbell revealed Morris’ stolen haul was valued at £675 and there was “no recovery”.

Morris’ then- defence solicitor Darran Khorasani said his client disputed the full value of the items he made off with, adding: “He says the items he took were valued at between £150 and £200.”

But, no matter the value placed on the goods, Sheriff Petra Collins chose to impose a community payback order on Morris comprising of 160 hours’ unpaid work.

Order breached

A brazen Coatbridge man who twice defied bail conditions on the same day has admitted breaching his subsequent court order punishment.

Robert Legut first flouted court conditions by entering a property at High Coats, Coatbridge, on October 8 last year.

The foolish 48- year- old then committed a second breach shortly afterwards by approaching a woman he was banned from contacting.

Legut, from Jackson Court, admitted both breaches and was placed under a community payback order with 15 months’ supervision at Airdrie Sheriff Court back in January.

During his sentencing, the procurator fiscal described Legut’s actions on the day of his offences: “The accused attended the complainer’s house at midnight and asked the witness for cigarettes and cider, which she told him she didn’t have. He then became angry and pushed her and police were later called.”

Legut resurfaced in the dock from custody last week to face up to a breach of his community payback order.

Defence solicitor James Sloan revealed his client was appearing from custody relating to another case and that sentence had been deferred for good behaviour and to allow Legut to “re-engage with the order”.

Sheriff Petra Collins then told Legut she would continue the matter until November 16, to hear alongside his “other cases calling”.

Drug assessment

A green-fingered Airdrie thief is facing a drug assessment.

James Comrie forced open a shed on Frew Street – the street he also lives on – and then made off with a lawnmower on August 17.

The 41-year-old was back at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week following a deferral for background reports after admitting his guilt.

Sheriff Petra Collins then continued deliberation on Comrie’s case until November 16 for a medical assessment as part of the first stage of a drug treatment and testing order.

He uttered threats to his stricken siblings and placed them in a state of fear and alarm during his tirade