Bit his wife in cigs row

A Coatbridge man bit his wife’s stomach in a row over cigarettes.

And now a remorseful Thomas Aitchison will carry out unpaid work for 70 hours after pleading guilty to the crime.

The 56- year- old will also remain under supervision for a year after the “out of character” incident at the couple’s Lomond Place home on April 14.

The court heard that the couple, who have been married for 10 years, have put the matter behind them and Aitchison’s wife was present in the gallery to support of her husband.

The procurator fiscal said: “In February of last year the accused developed a problem with alcohol addiction after becoming unemployed.

“On April 14 this year at around 6am the accused’s wife woke up and went to watch television in the living room.

“At 7am he also woke but was still intoxicated from the night before so went back to sleep.

“At 2.30pm the accused and his wife were both sitting on the living room sofa when she asked her husband for a cigarette.

“He refused and said he didn’t have any.

“His wife argued that they had an agreement: she would buy the alcohol if he bought the cigarettes. He still claimed he didn’t have any on him.

“The accused’s wife could see a packet of cigarettes in his pocket and leaned over her husband in an attempt to retrieve them.

“As she did so he bit her stomach through her clothing.

“She began crying and moved to the other side of the sofa, at which point the accused said ‘here come the dramatics’.

The fiscal continued: “The victim’s daughter called and could hear her mother was upset.

“She came to the house and called the police, who were shown the bite mark when they arrived.

“They arrested the accused, who was taken to Coatbride police office where he was cautioned and charged.”

Defence solicitor Anthony Linden said: “My client needs some help.

“In sobriety he is an introverted individual but he would benefit from supervision.

“His problem started when he became unemployed last year.

“At 56 years old he is still fairly young and wants to turn his life around and find work.”

Sheriff Derek O’Carroll told Aitchison: “This is a sad case in many ways.

“I have a letter from your wife here, telling me it was out of character for you and that you’ve never laid a hand on her.

“You were in the wrong but continue to be remorseful

“You will carry out 70 hours of unpaid work, discounted from 100 due to your plea.

“This is normally a punishment but I feel it will be to your benefit here.

“You will also be under supervision for the next year to help your alcohol problems.”

Work order extended

A 22-year-old who tried to strike a man with a piece of smashed pottery has been given extra time to complete his unpaid work.

Cameron Martin, of no fixed abode, was handed down the order after a violent episode on November 10 last year.

Martin behaved in a threatening and abusive manner towards two people before punching a third man on the headatn Whittington Place in Gartcosh.

Sheriff Derek O’Carroll ruled that Martin be allowed three additional months to complete the order, because of childcare issues with his new baby.

The sheriff said: “The timescale for your current order has now expired.

“However, in the circumstances I will allow an extra three months for completion of the order.”

Threatening behaviour

Sentencing has been deferred on a Coatbridge man while a restriction of liberty assessment is carried out.

Marcus Petty, 23, is to be sentenced after pleading guilty to behaving in a threatening and abusive manner on April 4.

The Dochart Drive resident shouted and swore at his partner and also threw items around the property on Airdrie’s Gartlea Road.

Sheriff Derek O’Carroll wanted to know if Petty is suitable for a restriction of liberty order.

He said: “I’ve read the report here and it states that unpaid work hasn’t worked for you in the past.

“However, it says nothing about your suitability for a restriction of liberty order.

“I will adjourn until July 19 to determine if a restriction of liberty order can be used as an alternative to custody.”

Driving ban

A man who was caught driving in Bargeddie while twice the legal alcohol limit has been banned from driving for two years.

Paul Kane will also carry out 80 hours of unpaid work after being caught on Coatbridge Road on December 11 last year.

The 53-year-old from Glasgow had 59 micrograms of alcohol in a 100 millilitre sample of his breath. The limit is 22.

The sheriff also put Kane under supervision for one year.

Unpaid work is normally a punishment but I believe it will be to your benefit here