Arsonist set fire to digger

An arsonist who set fire to a construction digger at a Plains school has been tagged.

Patrick Muldoon, who turned 18 yesterday, caused £79,000 worth of damage to the machinery after setting it alight at St Philip’s School last May.

The digger was rendered useless through damage caused by the fire, which Muldoon pled guilty to starting.

His defence solicitor said: “He accepts his guilt but can’t recall the incident.

“He’s had a difficult upbringing and has spent time in foster care.

“He was made subject of a community payback order last November which was ongoing until March.

“This is a serious matter but I ask you to take into account his age and upbringing.”

At Airdrie Sheriff Court last week, Sheriff Petra Collins told Muldoon, from Glasgow: “You’d be going to jail if you weren’t only 17-years-old.

“I’ll deal with you by way of a restriction of liberty.

“You must remain in your dwelling between the hours of 7pm and 7am for the next six months.

“That’s as a direct alternative to a custodial sentence.

“If you breach it, the likelihood is that you’ll be going to jail.”

Yob didn’t learn

A Coatbridge repeat offender has landed himself in hot water yet again after admitting the breach of two community payback orders.

Connor Peat, 22, was given the orders for two separate episodes of violent behaviour in his hometown.

On November 24, 2016, Peat contacted emergency services to advise them he was planning to commit self-harm, before explaining he was walking down Townhead Road waiting to be struck by a vehicle.

Upon police officers’ arrival, he began acting aggressively by shouting and swearing and also refused to remove his hands from his pockets when told to do so.

Several months later, on April 29 last year, he behaved appallingly on Coatbridge Main Street after watching an Old Firm match.

Describing his behaviour on that day, the procurator fiscal said: “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.

“During the journey to the police office he tried to escape and locked out his arms and legs before being successfully restrained.”

He was told to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and barred from watching any Rangers or Celtic matches in a licensed premises.

But last week at Airdrie Sheriff Court Peat admitted to ignoring orders.

Sheriff Petra Collins said: “I will revoke the order given to you in relation to your behaviour on November 24, 2016, and instead fine you £200.

“I will defer sentencing on the other matter for Sheriff Derek O’Carroll to deal with, since it was him that imposed the order on you.”

Peat is scheduled to return to court this morning when he will learn his fate.

Officer struggle

An Coatbridge man who tried to headbutt a police officer during a violent outburst has been given a second chance.

Mark Gallagher admitted struggling with two officers on Colt Avenue during an incident in February.

The Dunbeth Court resident tried to trip them up and also used his bodyweight in an attempt to drag them down a flight of stairs.

The procurator fiscal told the court last week: “Police attended the scene and he was arrested on suspicion of assault.

“Officers had tried to handcuff the accused but he resisted and tried to push the officers down the stairs and trip them over.

“He was eventually restrained and placed in handcuffs before being cautioned and charged.”

The 34-year-old’s defence solicitor, Fraser McKinnon, said: “Although he looks physically fit, there is an underlying problem.

“He’s not suitable for unpaid work due to two seizures which resulted in time in hospital.”

Sheriff Petra Collins said: “I’ll call for an assessment on whether or not you are fit to carry out unpaid work.

“I’ll deal with it in November and you should be of good behaviour in the meantime.

“The report will confirm this.”

Hotel assault

An Airdrie woman who assaulted a man twice at a Glasgow hotel has denied breaching the community payback order she received for it.

Claire McKenzie, 33, assaulted the male in September 2016, by lunging towards him and attempting to strike him twice.

She was given a community payback order last May but reappeared at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week accused of breaching it.

The Shanks Street resident denied any wrongdoing and a proof hearing has been set for July 11.

Muldoon caused £79,000 worth of damage to the machinery after setting it alight at the school