Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

Thug nets more jail Christmas rant at partner

- Court reporter

A Coatbridge thug has been jailed for a Christmas Day outburst that occurred less than a week after he was released from prison.

Repeat offender Francis Dirkie was last week sentenced to 100 days behind bars after acting aggressive­ly towards his distressed partner on Christmas morning, calling her a “c**”, a “s***” and a “t****”, while drunk.

The 40-year-old had only been released from jail four days before, for similar aggressive behaviour towards family members.

Barrowfiel­d Street resident Dirkie is now back in familiar surroundin­gs for the next couple of months for what Sheriff Frank Pieri c a l l e d “atrocious behaviour.”

After Dirkie appeared f rom custody, the procurator fiscal explained: “It was around 9.30am and the accused was under the influence of alcohol.

“He began shouting and swearing towards the witness, calling her a ‘s***’ a ‘t****’ and a ‘c**’.

“He left and returned a short while later and made his way back into the property against his partner’s wishes.

“Police were called and he was arrested at around 11.45am.”

Dirkie’s defence solicitor Darran Khorasani said: “My client has placed himself in a very difficult position having only been released from custody on December 21.

“He has a chronic alcohol problem and that is at the root of his offending.

“He is remorseful for behaving this way in front of children and his partner.

“In fact, he is ashamed of himself.

“He feels better after a period of forced abstinence and fortunatel­y has the support of a partner willing to welcome him back. This has been a wake up call he needs.”

Dirkie handed over a letter to Sheriff Pieri who read it before responding: “Having taken on board what you’ve written here, I’m not convinced supervisio­n will work for you.

“Considerin­g you’ve just been released, I feel my only option is to send you right back.I am sentencing you to 100 days which is backdated to the date of your remand on December 27. This has been reduced from five months due to your plea.”

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