Noisy neighbour drove Airdrie man to end of his tether

An Airdrie man who held two hammers up in front of police officers and threatened to force entry into a neighbour’s house has been admonished in court.

Raymond Jack, 48, phoned police on March 25 after reaching the end of his tether with a particular neighbour who regularly played loud music and hosted parties into the early hours of the morning.

Frustrated Jack, of West Kirk Street, had previously pleaded guilty to the charge and last week returned to Airdrie Sheriff Court after being given three months to show he could be of good behaviour.

Referring to the March incident, the procurator fiscal said:“It was around 11.20pm when the accused phoned police about a neighbour playing loud music.

“While on the phone, the accused said that he would force entry to the property with hammers if something wasn’t done.

“Police attended and on arrival met the accused who said he was exasperated by the number of parties taking place.

“He also explained that he had phoned numerous times about the situation prior to the latest phone call.

“He returned inside and as police visited and then left the residence in question, they were met by the accused on a path outside.

“He held up two hammers and said,‘see, I mean it’!

“He was arrested and taken to Coatbridge police office.”

After listening the fiscal’s narration, Sheriff O’Carroll said:“This puts extra meat on the bones then.”

In mitigation, Jack’s defence solicitor said:“The police were about to leave when he drew attention to the matter.

“He has no previous convictions and if he really did mean it he would have carried out his threat.

“My client was demonstrating his frustration.

“He felt that it wasn’t being taken seriously and there was never any danger of him actually doing anything.”

The solicitor added:“He’s got a fright from all of this as he was just showing his exasperation.

“He’s a man who is on the right side of the law and works for the fire brigade.

“Since 2015 he has made about 20 phone calls regarding the situation and had just become fed up.”

Addressing Jack, Sheriff Derek O’Carroll said:“The circumstances here are fairly unusual.

“There is a right and wrong way of doing things.

“What you did in this instance, well, it was the wrong way.

“You had been going through the proper channels but this is concerning.

“However, I accept you were at the end of your patience and acted uncharacteristically.

“I hope that you learn your lesson and no similar episodes of this nature occur.

“I think what you have been through with regards to a night in the cells, all the court dates and stress, is punishment enough.

“You are admonished and dismissed.”