COURT ThugT ‘not as stupid as charges suggest’

A yob who spat on the face of his former partner while t trying to open the window to her home has been given a substantial punishment.

Calum Gray, 21, also drove a car while more than twice t the legal alcohol limit on May 4 and was found to be concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Gray avoided prison because of his previous lack of a criminal record.

At Airdrie Sheriff Court last week, it was explained that the incident involving his ex-partner occurred on A Airdrie’s Northburn Avenue on July 9.

The procurator fiscal said: “The complainer observed the accused outside a window that he was trying to open.

“He was shouting,‘let me f****** in the house or I’ll kick your door in’.

“He was very aggressive, under the influence of alcohol and shouting and swearing, so the witness asked him to leave the property as she was very frightened.

“He managed to spit through a gap in the window onto the face of the complainer so she shut the window completely.

“She called police and when he was arrested he lashed out and refused to be placed in a van.

“He also spat at the chest of an officer.”

Defence solicitor John McGeechan said:“These are problems he created for himself during a period of great difficulty.

“He didn’t react well after a bereavement and that is of regret to him.

“The relationship was coming to and end while he was grieving and he didn’t want to let go of that.

“Getting involved with selling cannabis allowed him to be led astray and he didn’t think about his actions.

“He’s not as stupid as these charges suggest.”

Addressing Gray, of Sherry Avenue, Motherwell, Sheriff Frank Pieri said:“Given your lack of record I’ll deal with this by way of an alternative to custody.

“I’m just persuaded by the reports and your solicitor not to impose a significant period in jail.

“I’ll impose a restriction of liberty for six months which I have reduced from eight due to your guilty plea.

“You’ll be tagged to your home between the hours of 7pm and 7am.

“You’ll also carry out 230 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months.

“I’m also disqualifying you from driving for 16 months.”

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