Man urinated on toy shop shelf

A despicable Airdrie man has been placed under supervision after urinating on a shelf of toys in a town centre shop.

Patrick Higgins relieved himself on the items in front of a young girl whilst in Graham Street’s Home Bargains last month.

The 34-year-old pleaded guilty to his filthy crime after appearing from custody on December 18.

Imperial Drive resident Higgins appeared at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week to face the music for his actions which Sheriff Frank Pieri labelled “disgusting.”

Higgins’ defence solicitor argued: “This is some bizarre behaviour.

“The report states his personality is of a certain type.

“The only way he copes with the stresses of life is by drinking.

“He has a difficult and tough background and I’d urge you to consider a community payback order involving supervision.

“He’s also available to carry out unpaid work.”

Sheriff Frank Pieri said: “This is a quite disgusting offence.

“I acknowledge the criminal justice social work report states you have difficulty in your background.

“I agree with your solicitor and think this is best dealt with by a community payback order with supervision.

“This will last for 18 months and you will have to do as your supervising officer tells you.

“If you breach this, it will be very easy for me to send you to prison.”

Nurses left terrified

A man who admitted to terrifying nurses during a violent rampage at University Hospital Monklands has been fined.

Edward Holland roared obscenities and kicked doors during the outburst on October 24 last year.

The 49- year- old from Holytown has now been told to cough up £270 for his actions as an alternative to a community-based disposal.

The procurator fiscal explained: “At around 2.30am staff nurses became aware of the accused shouting and swearing and as such asked him to lower his voice.

“He told them to ‘ f*** off ’ and continued to shout and behave aggressively.

“He was asked to lower his voice again and the accused began to walk towards the waiting area, punching and kicking doors.

“Staff contacted police who arrived a short time later and arrested him before taking him to Coatbridge police office.”

Sheriff Frank Pieri queried whether this was “out of character” for Holland before the accused’s solicitor John McGeechan said: “My client had attended hospital due to a pain in his shoulder and had been waiting for hours.

“Frustration just got the better of him and it was out of character.

“He doesn’t have anything else outstanding but is unfit for unpaid work due to his shoulder injury.”

Sheriff Pieri ruled: “This is serious but I’m prepared to deal with it by way of a financial penalty.

“That is one of £270 and is payable at £20 per month.”

Kicked a child

A Coatbridge man who kicked a fiveyear-old child is on his last warning after failing to meet with social work.

Necessary reports were unavailable when Dale Boyd appeared at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week after admitting breaching the community payback order he was given for the crime committed last January.

The 23-year-old lashed out at the child after grabbing a woman’s arm and pushing her to the ground at a property in Endrick Court.

But Sheriff Frank Pieri, who deferred sentencing earlier in the month, was forced to do so again after Boyd’s laissez-faire attitude put a halt to proceedings.

Sheriff Pieri told the Redbridge Court resident: “It is very easy for the court to get the reports we need.

“All we have to do is remand you in custody for three weeks so that the social worker knows where to find you.

“On this occasion I will give you one more chance.

“Before you leave today, make sure you fix a new date for reports to be gathered.”

Court apologises

The court last week apologised to a man whose sentenced has been deferred due to a lack of reports.

Martin Chalmers spat on a police officer after acting in an aggressive manner on Coatbridge’s Main Street last May.

The 30- year- old pleaded guilty to carrying out the awful act after ranting and raving in the town centre and making abusive and disablist remarks.

He will appear at Airdrie Sheriff Court again on February 14; and Sheriff Frank Pieri told him: “We know the lack of reports here wasn’t your fault.

“There wasn’t enough time to prepare the reports so I’m sorry about that.

“Your current status is continued.”

Thief behind bars

A woman who stole groceries and toiletries f rom Coat b r idge Asda i n October has been given a jai l term.

Sheriff Frank Pieri gave Michelle McDonald a three-month sentence at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week.

The 29-year-old Carfin native, who appeared from custody on a separate matter, will serve the three months concurrent to the sentence she was already serving thanks to pleading guilty at an early stage.

He relieved himself on the toys in front of a young girl whilst in Airdrie’s Home Bargains.