Police saw learner driver crash

A learner driver who made a run for it after police witnessed him crash his car has been banned from the roads.

Coatbridge’s Liam Grace, 19, drove at “excessive speed” on August 16 in Sharp Avenue.

The provisional license holder, who lives on the same street, motored into a hedge after mounting a pavement.

At Airdrie Sheriff Court last week, the procurator fiscal said: “At around 11am, police noticed the accused in a vehicle.

“They turned around and saw him make off at speed into Sharp Avenue.

“He mounted a pavement and crashed into the hedge of a property.

“He ran off and was pursued for a short distance before being apprehended and taken to Coatbridge police office.”

Grace’s defence solicitor said: “He accepts full responsibility for this and has made no attempt to minimise his actions.

“He’s in employment and earns around £250 per week.

“He’s currently subject to a community payback order given in May, which included supervision for 12 months and 75 hours of unpaid work. “He’s done 40 hours of this so far. “He knows he’ll be disqualified from driving and can also pay a fine.

“The report suggests a restriction of liberty but I’m not sure if you’re minded further towards a fine and further unpaid work?”

Sheriff David Young told Grace: “I regard this as serious.

“You’d only had a provisional license and drove in this way.

“If your plea wasn’t a guilty one, I’d have disqualified you for 24 months; but instead that will be 16.

“You’ll also do 173 hours of unpaid work in the next nine months.”

Hospital abuse

A teenager who abused police officers while in University Hospital Monklands has been given unpaid work.

The 17- year- old, who has no permanently fixed abode and cannot be identified for legal reasons, admitted causing fear and alarm with his behaviour at the facility on August 15.

He was warned about his actions, but his defiance saw him end up in handcuffs and subsequently on remand for nearly a month.

The procurator fiscal said: “At around 11.50pm, police witnesses attended an address and took the accused to Monklands Hospital.

“At 12.30am, he became aggressive and abusive to police, calling them “c****” and “b*******”.

“He approached one of them and was restrained after refusing to sit down; he was arrested and taken to Coatbridge police office.”

The teenager’s defence solicitor said: “He’s been in custody for four weeks and that’s the first time he’s been there. “It’s taught him a lesson. “He’s had a number of offences in the past resulting in orders, and he’s completed more than half of his current one.

“He’s remorseful and I’d invite you to consider adding to his current order given that he’s already spent four weeks in custody.”

Sheriff David Young said: “This is serious because it took place in a hospital and the court will always regard it as such.

“I note the time you’ve spent on remand so I won’t impose a custodial sentence.

“You’ll be under supervision for 18 months and will carry out 130 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months.”

Slapped man

A former Moodiesburn woman has been placed under supervision for slapping a man.

Sarah Murphy was at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week for “not the most severe assault” Sheriff David Young has presided over.

The 44-year-old, who now resides in Knightswood, Glasgow, admitted lunging at the male and slapping him on the head and body at her former Stoneyetts property in the village in June.

Her defence solicitor said: “The accused and the complainer continue to live together and he is here today in support of her.

“She underwent a major operation and this caused difficulties for her which resulted in the previous conviction.

“She’s made a considerable effort to get her life back on track but her mental

He mounted a pavement and crashed into the hedge of a property

health has taken a dip.

“She’s made sure she’s on the right medication and has cut down on alcohol.

“Supervision may be of some assistance.”

Sheriff David Young said: “This isn’t the most severe assault the court has ever dealt with by any means.

“I’ll place you under supervision for nine months and you must comply.”