Two assaults in single day

Man hit with pick axe handle

A vicious Cairnhill thug assaulted a stunned man twice in the same day – hitting him on the foot with a pick axe handle during one of the terrifying attacks.

Relentless Stuart Russell avoided jail time for his violent actions and will instead have to carry out unpaid work.

The 39-year-old yob confronted his victim on Wilson Street, just outside Airdrie town centre, on September 14.

Russell repeatedly struck the shaken man on the head and body before making off – but that was far from the end of his day of violence.

Instead, he subsequently showed up at a property on Rochsolloch Road, also in Airdrie, brandishing a pick axe handle.

He tried to strike the same male victim several times with the makeshift weapon before actually landing a blow by hitting him on the foot.

Russell, whose address was given a Sutherland Drive, also “conducted himself aggressively” by brandishing the pick axe handle repeatedly and “menacing” the man with it.

He also placed two other men in a state of fear and alarm with his reckless actions and was later arrested and taken to Coatbridge police office.

Russell pleaded guilty to both assaults and behaving in a “threatening and abusive manner” in relation to the Rochsolloch Road incident.

Sentencing on Russell was then deferred at Airdrie Sheriff Court to allow for the completion of criminal justice social work reports looking into both him and his background.

Russell made his way back into the dock last week to face the music for his trio of offences.

Defence solicitor, Nicky Matteo, revealed his client recognised the gravity of his actions but appealed for a communitybased disposal after highlighting Russell’s remorse and recognition of his “unacceptable behaviour”.

Passing sentence, Sheriff Frank Pieri agreed that Russell wouldn’t be leaving the court and heading for the cells, but warned him over his future compliance with the court.

The sheriff told Russell: “This was a serious offence, but I am persuaded that there is an alternative to custody.

“I will impose a community payback order; if you breach this order and are brought back before me, then you can be sentenced all over again.

“And, as this is an alternative to custody, then you know what to expect.”

Sheriff Pieri sentenced Russell to 200 hours of unpaid work, which he reduced from 250 hours due to Russell’s admission of guilt and gave him six months to complete.

If you breach this...you know what to expect