Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Violent carjacker spared jail time
Knife threat to teens
A Coatbridge man who held up two teenagers at knifepoint and stole their car has avoided prison.
Carjacker Kenneth Mitchell, 39, of Blairgrove Court, will instead be tagged for the next nine months for the violent and unprovoked act on January 17 at Faraday retail park.
Bodybuilder Mitchell pled guilty at Airdrie Sheriff Court last month and prosecutor Agnes Meek told how he threatened the terrified male pair, both 19, with violence and demanded they leave the car. He then jumped in and drove off.
Mitchell also admitted a series of previous convictions, which included assault, road traffic matters and car theft.
Ms Meek said: “It happened at 1.30am, when the witness was driving the car, which was owned by his mother.
“They were sitting eating take-away food and became aware of a man at the driver’s door. He knocked the window and was holding a knife.
“He shouted to them ‘get out the car or I will kick f**k out of you two.’ Both youngsters jumped got out and Mitchell went into the driver’s seat.
“He asked them how to put it into reverse as it was an automatic and again threatened them with the knife. He reversed at speed and drove out of the car park.”
Using CCTV police traced the car to Lefroy Street and Mitchell to a flat on nearby Blairgrove Court.
He was detained and arrested.
During Mitchell’s sentencing last week, his defence solicitor, Rowan Myles, said: “No matters have arisen subsequent to the offence.
“The character reference indicates this is not a man who would normally perpetrate this type of offence.
“He recognises the severity of the crime and genuinely has remorse for the position he placed these two young gentlemen in.
“He has a myriad of support in court today.
“He has always had a good work ethic and is co- founder of a body looking for charitable status. He would’ve been a trustee but removed himself; he is looking to give something back to the community.”
Mr Myles added: “There are a combination of alternatives to custody open to the court ; a community payback order with supervision, unpaid work and a restriction of liberty order, which he would gladly undertake.
“I have stressed to him that this would not be a lenient option.”
Sheriff Frank Pieri then told Mitchell: “This was an extremely serious offence which came about due to your mental health problems and I am just persuaded there is an alternative to custody.
“I will impose a community payback order with supervision for a period of two years, 300 hours’ unpaid work and a restriction of liberty order for nine months, where you will be confined to your home between the hours of 7pm and 7am.
“If you breach this order then, as it’s a direct alternative to custody, you know what to expect.”