Drunken yob tried to headbutt cop as he drove back to station

COURT REPORTER

A thoughtless thug tried to headbutt a cop while he was driving a police car after he had been arrested.

Graeme Stokes, 23, of Gour Place, Gartcosh, behaved in a threatening or abusive manner in a community centre on February 6.

Airdrie Sheriff Court h e a rd how St o k e s repeatedly shouted, swore and made threats of violence.

Prosecutor Rosalind Walsh told the court : “At 7.40pm, police were on mobile pat rol in Moodiesburn and entered the Pivot Centre.

“They saw Stokes at reception under the influence of alcohol.

“He began shouting and swearing to officers, ‘ f*** off, c’mon then. I don’t care who you are. F****** jail me then’. He was arrested and taken to Coatbridge police office. He continued to shout: ‘I will kick your c*** in’.”

Stokes then lunged towards a police officer while he was driving the vehicle.

Defence lawyer Ross Brown said: “He pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

“He is still only 23 and has a limited record, mostly drink related.”

He added: “He was struck by a car on Christmas Day and spent 22 days in Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

“He suffered from memory loss and a brain injury. There was significant bleeding on the brain.

“When he got out he thought that he could drink and this was the first occasion when he took alcohol since coming out of hospital. He thought that he could drink. It was a big mistake.

“He has no other matters outstanding.”

Sheriff Derek O’Carroll told Stokes: “I hope you have learned your lesson. I will put you on a community payback order.

“If you don’t comply you will end up in prison. This is an alternative to a custodial sentence.”

Stokes was put on supervision for 18 months and ordered to attend for alcohol treatment when required.

He was also told to carry out 70 hours of unpaid work, reduced from 100 hours because of his early plea, and ordered to carry out the work within three months.

A review of Stokes’ order was set for May 6 and he was told to be of good behaviour in the meantime.

The sheriff also called for a progress report.