Broke order banning him from entering street

A Coatbridge man who breached a banning order claimed he was“set up”.

Zac Oakes, 27, of Dunbeth Court, pled guilty at Airdrie Sheriff Court to having breached a bail order, imposed on him last September, banning him from entering Cumbrae Crescent.

Less than a month later, Oakes was found on that street.

Prosecutor Rosalind Walsh told the court:“He was released on bail on September 20.

“On October 17, police were in Cumbrae Crescent on a separate matter. They observed Oakes crouching down behind a vehicle.

“He was taken to Coatbridge police station where it was revealed he was in breach of his bail conditions.

“He said to police that he had been‘set up’.”

Defence lawyer Eddie Kelly said in mitigation: “Set up is of some relevance. He had a toxic relationship.

“His previous convictions show he has a record for breaching bail.

“His first offence was in 2010 and his next offence was in 2019, with nothing in between.

“He was involved in a serious car accident in 2018 and was in a coma, and more recently was seriously assaulted.

“He has been on remand for the past three weeks and this has allowed him a sober reflection.

“He is motivated to change his ways and will take any assistance. He is in a better frame of mind.”

Sheriff Fergus Thomson told Oakes:“I have listened very carefully to everything that has been said and have come to the conclusion that I can deal with this by way of a non-custodial sentence.”

Oakes was put on a community payback order, including seven months of supervision, and ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work within seven months.