Threw items at moving cars

A Gartcosh woman whose offences included throwing objects at moving cars has avoided a jail sentence.

Suzanne Muir, 32, caused drivers fear and alarm in January last year, forcing them to take evasive action on Auldyards Road.

That offence was followed up by several more this year, including restricting and obstructing three constables by lashing out with her arms and legs at the Scottish Crime Campus in her home village.

Later that month she behaved in a threatening manner on Scalloway Road and, upon police arrival, repeatedly kicked a female constable on the body.

She also assaulted a male constable in the same fashion.

As well as pleading guilty to these offences, Muir also admitted to struggling with officers yet again on Coatbridge Road in March of this year.

The Scalloway Road resident’s defence solicitor said: “Reports are finally available on my client but I won’t go into detail in open court.

“The treatment at present has been very stabilising.

“She advises me her new medication is very strong and she may not be fit for unpaid work.

“From the past, supervision has been very helpful for her.”

Sheriff Morag Shankland said: “What I’d like to do is bring all matters to an end and make an order.

“We’ve finally got the report and I want that to go to your officer.

“I won’t impose unpaid work for the reasons discussed so you’ll be under supervision for 18 months.

“You must do as your supervising officer tells you.

“If that turns out not to be long enough we should have a review to try and extend it.”

Wielded baton

A teenager who was found in a public place with a spring extendable baton has been given a community payback order.

The 16- year- old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was reported to police after challenging a witness to a fight on Dovecot Drive in April.

The teenage yob, from Glasgow, avoided a heavy sentence after pleading guilty to his crime at Airdrie Sheriff Court.

The procurator fiscal said: “The offence occurred at around 6.45pm outside a supermarket.

“The witness was inside and became aware he was brandishing a baton while shouting ‘come on then, I’ll get you’.

“Police were contacted but he had made off.

“The accused was found nearby and the baton was recovered from within his shorts.”

The teen’s solicitor expressed concerns that his client is currently too young to fully understand what a community payback order would involve, but Sheriff Morag Shankland said: “I will give you the opportunity of a community payback order instead of a fine.

“You’ll be under supervision for 18 months and attend any courses or classes they tell you to.

“I want you to come back here before Christmas for a review and if you have reoffended then all bets are off and I will deal with you again at that stage.

“I hope I’ve made myself clear.”

Repeat offender

A young Airdrie man who is currently incarcerated appeared at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week to admit breaching a community payback order.

Steven Black, 21, is due to be released from prison on November 8 after being sentenced at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court earlier this year.

Before being put behind bars, he was given a community payback order for assaulting a girl in July last year.

The South Commonhead Street thug struck his victim on the head with a glass bottle and also punched her on the head and body.

He will return to court next month once reports have been completed, which will allow Sheriff Morag Shankland to make a decision on Black’s fate once he is released from prison.

She told him: “I want a full report and you’ll appear back here on October 3.

“I’ll expect a criminal justice social work report and a restriction of liberty assessment.”

Drug addict thief

A Coatbridge drug addict has been given the chance to cure his addiction.

Mark Rankine, 40, appeared in Airdrie Sheriff Court last week after admitting theft from the town’s Poundland.

He stole coffee on July 29 and toiletries on August 6.

As well as this, he stole a power tool from Aldi and watches from Argos in the same month.

He’ll now take part in the second stage of a drug treatment and testing order.

Rankine’s defence solicitor said: “This sentence was deferred for reports on both of these matters.

“You can see what the outlying problem is here – he has an intense drug problem.

“He’s appeared from custody today in respect of this; it’s got nothing to do with anything else.

“The reports say he is ready for the second stage of a drug testing and treatment order.”

Sheriff Morag Shankland said: “Let’s have a go at this.

“The second stage of a drug testing and treatment order is not going to be easy and this is your only chance.

“You’ll have to go and work very hard here. But you’re 40-years-old now so come on, lets get this sorted.”

She threw objects at moving cars and caused drivers to take evasive action