Benefits cheat in the dock again

A benefits cheat has admitted breaking the community payback order she was handed down for illegally obtaining nearly £10,000.

Dalwhinnie Place resident Wendy Morrissey, 43, failed to declare to authorities that the landlord of her home was in fact the father of her children.

As a result, she got her hands on £8500 to which she wasn’t entitled.

Morrissey was spared a custodial sentence last September, but will now return to court in January to face punishment after admitting ignoring the alternative.

A criminal justice social work report is necessary but wasn’t prepared on time after social work correspondence was sent to the wrong address.

Sheriff Petra Collins said: “This is Sheriff Shankland’s case so I’ll defer it for reports again since the wrong address was in the system.

”You’ll come back here on January 3.”

Let off the hook

A Coatbridge man who admitted acting aggressively and causing fear and alarm has been admonished.

Christopher McKinnon, 36, repeatedly kicked a door, tried to gain entry to a Nelson Avenue premises, threw wood at a window and uttered threatening remarks.

However, the Mitchell Street man was previously afforded the opportunity to prove it was a one-off incident before a sentence was handed down.

His defence solicitor said: “This was deferred for good behaviour in May and no other matters have arisen.”

Sheriff Petra Collins said: “Given you’ve taken your opportunity I’ll admonish and dismiss you.”

Violent teenager

A violent teen has breached a court order given for a spree of attacks in Airdrie.

Kieron Roberts, 18, went on the rampage in August 2017 when he was only 15-years-old.

At Gartlea Park, he struck a 13-yearold with a dog lead and punched another youngster on the head repeatedly.

A week later he placed another pair of teenagers in a state of fear and alarm with his threatening behaviour and shockingly then brandished a knife at a 12-year-old girl on Strain Crescent in Gartlea.

Glasgow resident Roberts could now be tagged for the breach after a restriction of liberty assessment was called for.

Sheriff Petra Collins said: “This was imposed by Sheriff Shankland so I’ll defer for her to deal with it on November 29.”

Keeps on stealing

A serial thief will return to court in

December after he didn’t comply with court instructions to have reports gathered on him.

Paul McLorinan, 25, was unable to meet with social workers because he was caring for his ill mum.

Foolishly, though, he didn’t notify the relevant department about it until after the scheduled time frame.

McLorinan has admitted four different counts of theft from mainstream Coatbridge retailers Asda and Marks & Spencer.

He has stolen clothes, food, flowers and a vacuum cleaner.

He has also admitted to behaving in a threatening and abusive manner and uttering homophobic remarks on Coatbridge Main Street earlier this year.

McLorinan’s defence solicitor said: “Reports aren’t available as his mum was hospitalised with a heart attack and that took priority.”

Sheriff Petra Collins replied: “Well, why didn’t he tell social work that he couldn’t make his appointments and only tell them afterwards?”

McLorinan’s solicitor responded: “I don’t think he’s missing that point.

“His mother has recovered and there will be no excuses now.”

Sheriff Collins continued: “Your responsibility is to attend these appointments or to keep social work in the loop. I’ll continue your bail, but before you leave here today you must set- up an appointment with social work for these reports to be completed.

“You’ll be back here on December 4 once restriction of liberty and criminal justice reports have been done.”

She got her hands on £8500 to which she wasn’t entitled

Denies breach

A Coatbridge man has denied breaching a restriction of liberty order given only four months ago.

Desmond McMullen, 24, behaved in a threatening and abusive manner in Strathaven in March, while carrying a knife.

He appeared at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week accused of ignoring court orders but a proof diet was arranged for December 4 after his denial.