Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Cemetery gunman avoids jail sentence
A Coatbridge man who fired a gun in a cemetery as a travellers’ tribute to his late mother has avoided jail.
Paul Couse discharged five shots from an imitation f i rearm at Coltswood Cemetery last April before telling cops they couldn’t arrest him because, “I’m a gypo”.
The alarm was raised by a taxi driver who drove an intoxicated Couse to the graveyard from his nearby home.
Couse had shown him the gun during the journey after it fell out of a bag he was carrying.
He pleaded guilty to possessing the black replica firearm, a self-loading 8mm blank firing pistol and placing his taxi driver in a state of fear.
Couse’s defence solicitor
Paul Kelly said: “This is a very unusual case and the nature of it would be worrying under normal circumstances.
“He had a close relationship with his mother who died last March.
“That is significant because this offence took place only three weeks later.
“He couldn’t cope with the loss of his mother and it was a traumatic time.”
Mr Kelly continued: “He had been drinking to excess and summoned a taxi. He didn’t reveal his intentions but had the imitation firearm in his bag.
“It fell out and the driver saw it. He then showed him the gun and regrets doing so.
“He realises that would have been a very frightening experience for the driver as he had no way of knowing it was an imitation firearm or what his intentions were.”
The solicitor added: “His mum came from a travelling community and that’s why he did it. He didn’t brandish the weapon or threaten anyone. He only fired it to help deal with his grief.”
Sheriff Petra Collins said: “This is a very serious matter and if it were not for the unusual circumstances behind it I would be sending you to jail.
“However, I am persuaded that’s not a just outcome of this case.
“You will be under supervision for 18 months and will carry out 120 hours of unpaid work. Breach this and I’ll impose a custodial sentence.”
He only fired it above his mother’s grave to try and help deal with his grief ...