Scissors man ‘embarrassed’

Cut up over threats made to cops

An Airdrie man who lost his temper with police officers after being found with a pair of scissors in public has been tagged following an appearance at Airdrie Sheriff Court.

James McGowan, 32, threatened to kill officers at the Tesco superstore on Faraday retail park, Coatbridge in June.

The Parkhead Lane resident claimed he had the scissors for “protection”.

The procurator fiscal told the court: “At around 10.15pm, police attended the locus and observed the accused.

“He took umbridge to their presence and was searched.

“A pair of scissors was found and he stated they were for ‘protection’.

“He was arrested and began to shout and swear at police.

“The accused threatened to ‘set about’ the officer and shouted ‘get your f****** hands of me’.

“He then said ‘I’m going to f****** kill you’.

“The accused was warned but his behaviour continued, but he wasn’t cautioned and charged due to his intoxication levels.”

McGowan’s defence solicitor Darran Khorasani said: “This is a serious charge he’s pled guilty to and he’s embarrassed by his behaviour.

“He has little recollection of the incident as he mixed alcohol with his medication.

“He’s abstained from drinking alcohol since the incident.

“He’s engaging well with the supervision element of a current community payback order made in August last year.

“There’s nothing outstanding and he has never served a custodial sentence.

“There’s a suggestion in the report he could be placed on a restriction of liberty order as he has complied with them previously.”

Sheriff David Young said: “These are serious matters involving threats of violence to police as well as carrying the scissors.

“I’ll take into account you’re on a community payback order at the moment and are complying well with it.

“Instead of interfering with that, I’ll impose a restriction of liberty order for 11 weeks.

“You must stay in your home between the hours of 7pm to 7am.”