Fined for cannabis production

A foolish man who produced cannabis plants at an Airdrie house has been hit in the pocket.

Steven Brown was caught with the Class B drug during a raid on the Kippen Street property in September.

Twenty-six-year-old Brown owned up to the charge at Airdrie Sheriff Court and returned for sentencing last week after a deferral for background reports.

Procurator fiscal Linda McAffer told the court Brown, from Ardtoe Crescent in Shotts, had produced “eight adult plants and 12 seedlings”.

Brown’s defence solicitor mitigated on his client’s behalf: “He fully accepts this was a stupid decision. He had fallen into some hardship at the time.

“He is now working and has a relationship which has provided him with some structure.”

Passing sentence, Sheriff Morag Galbraith told Brown: “You are now carrying a criminal record.

“Given you are in employment, I will mark this offence with a fine of £500.”

Exposed genitals

A depraved Coatbridge man who exposed his genitals in public has been sentenced to additional hours of unpaid work.

Troubled Thomas Manson pulled down his clothing and committed the vile offence on West Canal Street, also in Coatbridge, on September 8 last year.

The 35-year-old pled guilty at Airdrie Sheriff Court and was sentenced to a community payback order with 80 hours’ unpaid work a month later.

Jackson Court native Manson resurfaced in court last week with an application to vary his order, which was granted by Sheriff Morag Galbraith.

The sheriff told Manson he would have to complete an additional 20 hours of work – for a total of 100 hours – within the next six months.

Prolific shoplifter

A prolific thief who struck at three different stores in as many days has been sentenced to a drug treatment and testing order.

Darren Miller, of Coatbridge, first stole clothing from JD Sports at the busy Faraday retail park in his home town on July 18.

Two days later, he made off with perfume from the TK Maxx store at the same shopping outlet venue, before ending his mini shoplifting spree by swiping batteries from B&Q on Tennant Street, also in Coatbridge, on July 21.

Jackson Court resident Miller, 35, admitted all three thefts and, following a deferral for a drug assessment, returned to Airdrie Sheriff Court last Wednesday to face the music.

Sheriff Morag Galbraith then sentenced Miller to a drug treatment and testing order and told him he would face “regular reviews”, the first of which was scheduled for December 23.

Sectarian abuse

A foul-mouthed Bargeddie yob who fired off a torrent of sectarian abuse at his stepfather has admitted breaching his court order sentence.

Mark Sloan, 21, also repeatedly shouted and swore at his dumbfounded victim at Sloan’s Sunnyside Drive home.

The incident took place on September 18 last year and Sloan admitted his guilt on April 15.

Sloan was then sentenced to a community payback order with 75 hours’ unpaid work – to be completed within six months – at Airdrie Sheriff Court three months later.

Sloan sheepishly made his way back to dock last week and the court heard he had breached his order by failing to undertake enough of his work hours.

He owned up to the breach and Sheriff Morag Galbraith adjourned proceedings until December 21 to allow for background reports.

Work extension

A sheriff has given a Coatbridge thug who left a woman fearing for her safety during a foul-mouthed rant more time to complete his unpaid work.

David Bain repeatedly shouted and swore and uttered threats at a property in High Coats, Coatbridge, on January 31 this year.

The inconsiderate 22-year-old pled guilty to behaving in a threatening and abusive* manner to place his female victim in a state of fear and alarm.

Bain, from Jackson Court, was later sentenced to a community payback order, which included unpaid work, at Airdrie Sheriff Court on March 9, but was back in the dock last week after admitting a breach of the order.

Defence solicitor Gary Morton made a successful plea to have his client’s order varied as Sheriff Morag Galbraith told Bain he would have an extra one month to finish his unpaid work hours.

Drugs possession

A Coatbridge woman caught in possession of two different types of drugs has owned up to breaching her subsequent court order punishment.

Helen Haughian was found with cannabis resin, herbal cannabis and Class C-graded diazepam at her Redbridge Court home on June 11 last year.

The 31- year- old pled guilty on January 15 and was sentenced to a community payback order with 12 months’ supervision at Airdrie Sheriff Court a month later.

Haughian resurfaced in the dock last week and lawyer Edward Kelly told the court his client “admitted the breach”.

Sheriff Morag Galbraith continued deliberation on Haughian’s case until January 9 next year for reports into her background.

He fully accepts this was a stupid decision. He had fallen into some hardship at the time