Old Firm yob facing prison

A football yob who was last year handed a community payback order for spouting sectarian abuse on Coatbridge Main Street is potentially facing jail.

Connor Peat, 22, was banned from entering any pub during Rangers or Celtic games thanks to his violent outburst shortly after an Old Firm match last April.

He was also told to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work as an alternative to prison.

The court heard last year: “At around 4.20pm officers saw the accused gesturing towards a male who was wearing Celtic colours.

“Mr Peat began shouting and swearing at the male and called him a ‘fenian c***’ before threatening to ‘do him in’.

“The pedestrian area was busy and police were encouraged to take action.

“As they approached, he continued the abuse and called the male a ‘scummy fenian b******’.

“When he noticed police he tried to escape and was chased along the Main Street, then caught and arrested.”

However, Peat is now on the verge of being put behind bars after admitting a breach of the order, despite earning praise for his endeavours as recently as March.

It wouldn’t be an unknown environment for the Tantallon Drive resident, who was jailed for two years in 2015 after being caught carrying a large knife.

Sheriff Morag Shankland ruled: “I’ll call for updated reports and you’ll appear back here on June 13.”

Thug given work

A Coatbridge thug has been given a heavy community payback order for throttling a man earlier this year.

Ronald McPhee, 41, had been on remand in Addiewell prison for his actions which occurred at a William Street property in January.

The yob pled guilty to grabbing his victim before throwing him on a couch and lying on top of him.

He then seized his terrified victim’s throat and compressed it before striking him on the head, to his injury.

McPhee, who spent time behind bars last year for assaulting a taxi driver during a journey, was also charged with later failing to leave Coatbridge’s Innishmohr pub after being asked to by staff due to his disorderly behaviour.

McPhee’s defence solicitor, Edward Kelly, argued: “He initially advised his drink was spiked which would have provided a defence.

“I invite you to consider that he has now served a significant period of custody.”

Sheriff Morag Shankland warned McPhee he was on thin ice and said: “You and I meet fairly frequently.

“This is your absolute last chance Mr McPhee.

“I will impose 250 hours of unpaid work which must be done in the next nine months.

“You’ll come back before me in four months for a good behaviour report as I want to keep up with your progress.

“You’ll also remain under supervision for two years.”

McPhee’s partner wept with relief as the sentence was read out.

Thief not paying back money

A despicable Sikeside thief who burgled a family home has admitted breaching his community payback order.

Adam Reilly, 24, of Cumbrae Crescent, stole jewellery and a tablet from the Methlick Avenue property on April 27, 2016.

He also looted wine, £60 in cash and a handbag.

He was given a community payback order in January last year, but hasn’t paid his compensation order of £1000.

His defence solicitor, Mark Lutton, said: “He’s not paid his compensation order of £1000 and is under supervision.

“The order was imposed but he lost his employment and failed to let authorities know.

“He gets £ 150 a week now and there’s currently £615 outstanding on the order.

“There have been no new offences on his part but he’s aware of the consequences should he not comply further.”

Sheriff Morag Shankland said: “I’m going to make sure you pay this.

“I’ll extend it by nine months and allow payment to continue at a rate of £20 per week.

“If this is breached again it won’t be good news for you Mr Reilly.”

Neighbour abuse

A Caldercruix woman and her son have been fined and tagged, respectively, for behaving aggressively towards neighbours last November.

Rhona Hall, 38, and Connor McKinnon, 18, both of Caldercruix’s Moss Avenue, appeared alongside a 16- year- old last week charged with behaving in a threatening and abusive manner on Cumbrae Place last November.

Hall, formerly of neighbouring Sikeside Street, will now pay a £200 fine while her son will be restricted to his own home for the duration of the summer.

The 16- year- old will also be tagged for a period of three months.

The court heard how McKinnon challenged the witness to a fight as they walked home from a local shop.

The 16-year-old began punching a living room window while McKinnon kept up his verbal abuse.

Hall meanwhile pushed another witness who was outside the property.

Both restriction of liberty orders will last for a period of three months.

He is on the verge of being put behind bars after admitting a breach of the order