Teenager wins praise in court

But sheriff warns he could be back

A teenage thug who assaulted two cops – trying to bite them in the process – will face no further reviews after being praised for his engagement with his court order punishment.

Christopher Bennett repeatedly kicked a female officer on the body after pushing her, before also kicking a male constable on more than one occasion.

The cops had earlier confronted the boozed-up 19-year-old after being called out to a disturbance involving a large gang of youths on Coatbank Way in Coatbridge.

Bennett, of Jarvie Avenue in Plains, also repeatedly shouted and swore and lunged towards the officers during his violent tirade on July 4 last year.

He admitted his disgraceful conduct and, one month later, was sentenced to a community payback order with two years’ supervision and 120 hours’ unpaid work, as well as being tagged for a period of five months.

Bennett was back in court for the latest review of his order last week, when his defence solicitor revealed: “He [ Bennett] has completed his hours [of unpaid work] and whenever there has been non-attendance [with the social work department], there has been a reasonable reason; it has been a positive response to the order.”

Sheriff Frank Pieri then addressed Bennett directly: “This is a fairly positive report and you are engaging well with your supervising officer, so I will allow the order to continue with no further review.

“But if you breach the order then you can be brought back before me.”