Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Held in contempt after shouting at a sheriff for jail term
A yob was held in contempt of court for yelling at a sheriff as he was sent down.
Shameless Martin Naylor, 30, was put behind bars after being caught trying to break into a garden shed with a screwdriver on January 7.
When police arrived on the scene he told them he was,“trying to get an axe to chop their heads off.”
The court heard Naylor behaved aggressively en route to Coatbride police office after being arrested.
The procurator fiscal said:“The witness was in her kitchen at around 2.15am when she saw a male stumbling towards a property.
“She saw him jump over a fence with a screwdriver in his hand.
“She then heard a loud banging noise and ran outside with another witness to confront him.
“He began making comments which were hard to understand as he was so intoxicated, so she contacted police.
“They arrived shortly afterwards and saw him with the screwdriver. He was taken to Coatbridge police office.”
The fiscal continued:“While en route he said,‘I was trying to get in the shed to get an axe and chop their heads off.’
“He continued to behave erratically and became abusive to officers, calling them ‘f****** c****’and warning the driver‘I’ll kick you in the face, I don’t care if you crash.’
“He was informed of his further arrest and held at Coatbridge police office.”
Naylor’s defence solicitor said:“My client accepts these offences however alcohol is a huge factor.
“This was unusual though, even for him. He has little recollection of the event and what he was doing on the night in question.”
Sheriff Derek O’Carroll told Cumbernauld resident Naylor:“In my view there is no alternative to a custodial sentence here.
“I don’t think you are suitable for a community payback order as you have a significant level of offending. “You will spend six months in prison.” As he was led downstairs, Naylor raised his voice and accused Sheriff O’Carroll of having“no compassion”before repeating “why don’t you just gie me mair?”several times.
The sheriff ordered that Naylor be brought back to the dock before adding: “That was aimed directly at me and as such I am holding you in contempt of court for your behaviour.”
Naylor was later admonished of the contempt charge and his punishment remained as six months imprisonment.