Yob ran at cops with knife

Unpaid work was the punishment for a thug who ran at Coatbridge police officers with a kitchen knife.

David Craig was confronted by the cops and found in possession of the blade in his home town of Cumbernauld on May 22.

The 33-year-old then lost the plot as he began shouting and swearing before challenging the officers to a fight.

He went on to brandish the knife, as well as a bottle, and ran towards the constables “while presenting the knife to them”.

But Craig wasn’t finished there as his outburst continued with him lunging at the officers’ vehicle and striking its wing mirror.

He then kicked a male officer on the body before he was eventually taken into custody at Coatbridge police station.

Craig admitted his crazed behaviour at Airdrie Sheriff Court and was back for sentencing last week following background reports.

Defence solicitor Yvonne Finlay appealed for “a community-based disposal” for her client, stating that he “could carry out unpaid work”.

Sheriff Frank Pieri adhered to Ms Finlay’s request, but warned Craig: “This is a serious offence, especially as the police officers were just trying to do their job.

“But I am persuaded to impose a community payback order with unpaid work.

“This is a direct alternative to custody and if you breach the order then you know what to expect.”

Craig will have to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, reduced from 240 due to his guilty plea, and will also be under supervision for the next year.

Tagged for racist comments

A Coatbridge man who spouted vile racist abuse has been tagged.

Stewart Smith acted in a “racially aggravated manner” at a property on Woodside Street, Kirkwood, on June 15 last year.

The 41-year-old shouted, swore and “pushed items about” before uttering racist remarks.

Smith, of Millbrae Court owned up to his shameful conduct at Airdrie Sheriff Court.

Sentencing was deferred for background reports with Smith returning to the dock to face the music last week.

Defence solicitor Paul Belardo highlighted his client’s “remorse” and revealed he was “very apologetic for his actions”.

Sheriff Frank Pieri sentenced Smith to a restriction of liberty order that will see him tagged and confined to his home between the hours of 7pm and 7am for the next three months.

Thug attacked and spat on staff

A crazed Chapelhall man who attacked and spat on staff at a caravan park has breached his court punishment.

Liam Donnelly, 23, turned nasty during a stay at Southerness Holiday Village in Dumfries in October 2016.

The foul-mouthed Michael Terrace resident shouted and swore, acted aggressively, uttered violent threats to staff and “struggled violently” with them.

He then repeatedly banged his head against the ground and, “having drawn blood”, sickeningly spat at the venue’s employees.

Donnelly also kicked a male staff member at the popular family facility on the body and spat on his face before kicking a female employee on the body.

His abusive behaviour continued following his arrest as he shouted and swore and repeatedly banged his head against the police car.

After pleading guilty, Donnelly was sentenced at Airdrie Sheriff Court last November to a restriction of liberty order confining him to his own home.

However, he returned to court last week and owned up to breaching the order.

Sheriff Frank Pieri then chose to revoke the original order and imposed a new community payback order that will see Donnelly under supervision for the next year.

The sheriff told Donnelly this was “an alternative to a fine”.

Lout threw pool ball at window

A sheriff was right on cue to hit a Coatbridge lout in the pocket after he threw a pool ball at the window of a pub.

Sean Linnen will now have to pay compensation to the Heritage Bar for his violent outburst at the Sunnyside Road venue on July 14.

The 25-year-old lost his temper by shouting and swearing before throwing a few pool balls around, one of which hit and damaged a window.

Linnen then refused to leave the pub when asked by staff and placed his ex-partner in a state of fear and alarm by behaving in a threatening and abusive manner towards her.

He owned up to the offence at Airdrie Sheriff Court and social work reports were ordered looking into his background.

Linnen, from Redbridge Court, resurfaced in the dock last week, when Sheriff Frank Pieri chose to issue a double financial penalty.

The sheriff told Linnen: “You will pay £110 compensation [to the pub] for the damage you caused to the window.

“You will also be fined £210, which I have reduced from £230 due to your plea.”

This is a serious offence, especially as the police officers were just trying to do their job