Wanted mum to drop dead

A man who caused his own mother to suffer an angina attack during a volley of verbal abuse has been placed under supervision.

James Sommerville, 43, called his mum a “f****** wh***” and told her he wanted her to “drop dead” during the traumatising episode last August.

He also broke plant pots and kicked a door at the Blackcroft Terrace property in Salsburgh.

Sommerville, of the village’s Kirkview, pleaded guilty to the charges facing him at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week.

The procurator fiscal read: “At around 5.30pm the witness was at home when her son, the accused, arrived under the influence of alcohol.

“He began to shout and swear and called her a ‘f****** wh***’ and a ‘slut.’

“Terrified, she called her sister who was able to overhear him shouting in the background.

“He said ‘ I hope you f****** drop dead.’

“His mum told her sister on the phone she was starting to have an angina attack because of the stress and she tried to get him out of the house, however he continued his aggressive behaviour.

“He then left the property and upon hearing his mum lock the front door he began kicking it.”

The fiscal continued: “A short while later, at around 7.30pm, the witness heard a disturbance and a banging sound outside.

“She looked out her window and noticed the accused had returned, still under the influence of alcohol.

“He was shouting and swearing and breaking plant pots, so she called the police.”

Sommerville’s defence solicitor said: “My client accepts and recognises his disgraceful behaviour and is genuinely apologetic.

“He feels terrible that he did this and can offer no explanation for why he allowed himself to get into that state.

“He’s not a regular offender and doesn’t have a drinking problem.

“He has been having good conversations with his mother and she is ready to welcome him back into the family.

“He assures me and this court that there will be no repeat of this behaviour.”

Sheriff Petra Collins said: “This is a fairly standard breach of the peace however this is no way to behave to anyone, let alone your own mother.

“I feel you need some support so I will place you under supervision for 15 months.”

Slapped a child

A woman who slapped an 11-year- old girl across the face in the middle of a Chapelhall street has been given unpaid work.

Elaine Stewart, 43, lashed-out at the kid after becoming frustrated with an alleged high level of noise being caused by the witness and her group of friends.

Stewart pleaded guilty to seizing the child by the arm and striking her, causing her to fall to the ground on McPherson Crescent last September.

The procurator fiscal read: “The witness was outside with friends socialising when the accused became upset by some noise at around 7.30pm.

“She went outside to confront them and gestured for the witness to approach, which she did.

“She grabbed her arm and used her backhand to strike her on the cheek, causing the witness to fall to the ground.”

Stewart’s defence solicitor, Fraser McKinnon, argued: “My client was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the offence.

“She accepts her actions and takes responsibility.

“I think she would benefit from a period of supervision.”

Sheriff Petra Collins decided: “I’ll make a community payback order with two requirements.

“You will carry out 80 hours of unpaid work within the next four months and this is a direct alternative to a fine.

“You will also remain under supervision for nine months and do as your officer tells you.”

Threatened staff

A Coatbridge man who pleaded guilty to behaving in an aggressive and abusive manner in a local Tesco he was barred from has been given unpaid work.

Colin Edgar, 36, acted- up in Sikeside’s Tesco Express store on Paddock Street last August.

The Sikeside Street resident slammed bottles on a counter and warned that a female member of staff was “getting her head kicked in.”

The procurator fiscal explained: “The accused was in the queue with five bottles of alcohol but was then told he wasn’t welcome in the shop.

“He became aggressive and refused to leave.

“He slammed down a bottle on the counter and turned to staff members and said ‘what are you all looking at?’

“He then turned in the witness’ direction and said, ‘see her, she’s getting her head kicked in.’”

Edgar’s defence solicitor John McGeechan said in mitigation: “My client understands he can’t behave like this.

“He has spoken to his GP about a referral to psychological services.

“He is currently subject to a community payback order until July but is willing and available to do more.”

Sheriff Petra Collins said: “This was an unnaceptable way to behave.

“I will issue a standalone community payback order of 60 hours unpaid work.

“This must be completed within the next six months which is only because of your current order.”

He began to shout and swear at his mum and called her a “f****** wh***” and a “slut”