Teenage thugs avoid jail after Tesco rammy

Youngsters shouted, swore and threw stuff off shelves

COURT REPORTER

Two teenagers who caused a fracas in an Airdrie supermarket were told they could have been jailed for years.

The youths, aged 16 and 17 who cannot be named for legal reasons, behaved in a threatening manner likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear or alarm by shouting and swearing and throwing items from shelves.

The offence happened at Tesco on High Street on November 10.

Three days earlier, the 16-yearold committed a similar offence in the same store and was also found to be in possession of the Class A drug ecstasy.

Both youngsters, from Bathgate, also admitted breaching bail orders imposed on them at Livingston Sheriff Court on September 24.

Prosecutor Flora Walsh told Airdrie Sheriff Court: “When the boys entered the store a worker noticed they were aggressive and under the influence of alcohol.

“They began to throw things about and their aggressive and volatile behaviour continued.

“One of the boys, the 16-yearold, had previously been barred from the store. They were asked to leave and police were called.

“When police arrived they continued to be abusive.”

The defence lawyer for the 16-year-old said: “The background report is very poor.”

The other’s defence solicitor said: “My client has just turned 17 and a period on supervision would help him to change his lifestyle.”

Sheriff Norman MacFadyen told the teenagers: “Both of you have a lot to learn.

“I have enough charges in front of me to give you four-and-a-half years, but this would be appealed and you would probably get two years.

“I am not going to do that.”

The 16-year-old was put on a community payback order, which included 18 months of supervision and to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

The other teen was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and to be on supervision for six months. Both were told to attend for drug and alcohol counselling.

The 16-year-old was ordered to appear at Livingston Sheriff Court on January 8 for a review of his community payback order.