Man exposed himself to horrified woman

Police are hunting a pervert who exposed himself to a shocked woman in broad daylight near Airdrie town centre.

The 58-year-old female was walking near to Aldi, on High Street, at 6.22am on Friday when she saw a male acting suspiciously.

When she then walked past him, he lifted his jacket and exposed himself to his flabbergasted victim.

Police are now looking to trace the disgusting deviant, with Inspector Louise Brownlie telling the Advertiser: “The man is described as 22 to 28 years old, 5ft 5in tall, of slim build and was clean shaven and wearing a woollen hat, zip fleece and a pair of jogging bottoms.

“He was behaving in a suspicious manner and as the woman passed him, she noted that he lifted his fleece jacket and exposed himself.

“The woman immediately made her way home and contacted police.

“Anyone with information regarding this incident, or any similar incidents, is encouraged to contact Monklands police on 101 or alternatively, get in touch with Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.”

Suspicious garage blaze

Police are appealing to the public for information following a “suspicious” garage fire in Coatbridge.

The property was set alight during the early hours of Monday morning.

The blaze – on Lefroy Street – was reported at 3.40am and “extensive damage” was caused to the building as a result.

Firefighters attended the scene to douse the flames and an investigation is now under way.

Those who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area at the time are asked to call Coatbridge police on 101, or alternatively get in touch with anonymous hotline Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Driving offences

A number of motorists fell foul of the law following a spate of drink-drugs-related motoring incidents in Monklands over the weekend.

One reported incident was a 49-year-old Airdrie man putting himself and others at risk by driving in Kirkshaws while unfit to do so.

He took to the wheel of his vehicle on Kirkshaws Road at 7pm on Saturday before being apprehended and arrested by police officers.

The man was held in custody prior to an appearance at Airdrie Sheriff Court and reports on all of the weekend arrests relating to driving offences have been sent to the procurator fiscal.

Mother’s Day arrest

Dangerous driving on a motorway saw a woman caged over the weekend.

She spent Mother’s Day behind bars after heading out in her car onto the A725 at 7.55pm.

A member of the public contacted the police due to concerns about the woman’s driving and her car was stopped near Sikeside Street.

Inspector Brownlie added: “The woman was arrested and held in custody to appear at Airdrie Sheriff Court.”

Travel disruption

Inspector Brownlie has warned Monklands motorists to prepare for further disruption on the busy A725 this coming weekend.

Significant delays between last Friday and Sunday from Coatbridge to the Raith Interchange saw some drivers stuck in queues of traffic for “a number of hours”.

In an effort to avoid a repeat of this disruption, Inspector Brownlie advised: “There are further roadworks on this stretch of road which may cause similar difficulties this weekend; from 8pm on Friday until 6am next Monday [April 3]. Drivers are being urged to make alternative travel arrangements, or avoid the area if possible.

“Please allow extra time for essential journeys and make sure that you are prepared for delays in the hot weather with drinking water readily available.”

As the woman passed him, she he lifted his fleece jacket and exposed himself to the flabbergasted victim