Disqualified driver’s jailed

A disqualified Coatbridge driver will be separated from his new child after his inexplicable decision to get behind the wheel landed him behind bars.

Michael Burns, 33, will spend four months in prison after being caught without a licence by police while going for a spin on January 28.

He was also found to be without insurance when stopped by officers on Coatbank Street.

The Lomond Place resident’s record went against him in court as Sheriff Frank Pieri noted he “committed this offence shortly after being punished for another one.”

The repeat offender will now miss the first chapter of his new child’s life after his partner gave birth recently.

After the procurator fiscal stated she had nothing to add to the charge sheet, Burns’ defence solicitor Roberto Manini said: “My client’s difficulty is his record and he accepts that from the outset.

“He has nothing outstanding and is suitable for a restriction of liberty order.

“This would allow him to be there for his partner and new child.

“It will be them who suffer should my client be given a custodial sentence.

“She is willing to stand by him and she knows what he is like when he has abstained from drinking alcohol.

“He is also ready and willing to carry out unpaid work should that be your disposal.

“He knows that if he doesn’t comply with an order given to him then he’ll be in prison.”

But Sheriff Pieri didn’t give Burns the opportunity to prove he was capable of complying with a community payback order and said: “I’ve heard everything that could possibly be said for you. “But your record is a huge problem. “You committed this crime very shortly after another offence and as such I can only deal with this by way of a custodial sentence.

“I am sentencing you to four months in jail which I have discounted from six due to your plea.

“You will also be disqualified from driving for three years.”

Throttled woman

A Gartcosh man who pinned his partner against a wall and punched her on the head has been given unpaid work.

Marcus Stevenson, 41, pleaded guilty to his disgraceful actions which took place in Moodiesburn’s Auchegeich Gardens on December 4.

The procurator fiscal explained: “The accused attended a property with the witness.

“On arrival they made a cup of tea and tidied up before beginning to consume alcohol - including whisky and rum.

“The accused became aggressive to the female witness and she asked him to leave several times, however he continued to refuse.

“As she asked him again, he grabbed her by the throat and pushed her against a wall.

“He continued to hold her throat and punched her on the head.

“She managed to push him away and break free and another witness in the house called police.”

Woodlands Avenue resident Stevenson’s defence solicitor, Darran Khorasani, said: “My client doesn’t cope well when drinking spirits.

“This is the first incident of this type that he’s been involved with regarding the victim.

“He pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and is suitable for a restriction of liberty order with supervision as well as a community based disposal.

“This would allow him to address his behaviour in his relationship with the witness and his relationship with alcohol.”

Sheriff Frank Pieri stated: “I will impose a community payback order with supervision lasting 15 months.

“You will have to attend alcohol recovery meetings and due to your history this supervision will be subject to review.

“You will also carry out 135 hours of unpaid work in the community which is down from 150 due to your plea.

“This work will be carried out within the next six months and is an alternative to custody.”

Sent nude pics

A man who circulated naked images of his ex-girlfriend to her family has been placed under supervision.

Coatbridge creep Joseph Martin contacted his former partner on social media and threatened to send the images to family members on April 30 last year.

He followed through on his threat when he forwarded the intimate photos to two males close to her in the following days.

Martin, 34, will now be under supervision for nine months thanks to favourable social work reports and putting an end to drinking alcohol.

He will also carry out unpaid work as an alternative to a fine.

The procurator fiscal explained back in August when Martin first appeared in court: “The photograph in question consisted of the accused’s ex fully naked and displaying her genitalia.

“Each time it was sent , it contained a message that read, ‘this is what she’s caused. I’ve had enough’.”

Martin’s defence solicitor previously stated: “My client and the complainer shared intimate photos during their brief relationship.

“He lapses, on occasion, into alcohol abuse which aggravates his behaviour

“He does accept responsibility and has a degree of remorse.”“

Sheriff Frank Pieri said: “Your unpaid work must be completed within the next six months and if breached you will be jailed.”

It is his partner and new child who will suffer if he is given a custodial sentence today