‘I’ll rip the Adam’s apple from your throat’: Thug in tirade against store security guard
A MAN who went on a violent racist and homophobic rant in a department store was spared jail as s sheriff gave him a last chance to turn his life around.
Among a lengthy list of threats and slurs, John Conroy told a police officer he would “rip the Adam’s apple out your throat with my teeth.”
Glasgow Sheriff Court heard the 50-year-old had only just been released from prison when he was arrested for abusive and threatening behaviour in a branch of Marks and Spencers.
On Sunday, January 10, Conroy was spotted by a security guard staggering about in the Argyle Street branch.
He was seen to be pulling tags off jackets and jeans and putting them in his bag, prosecutor Aimee Doran told the court.
In an incident captured on store CCTV, Conroy was challenged and said: “”I’m not going to jail”.
He was taken to a holding room in the shop as staff waited for police to arrive. The court heard he then became aggressive and assaulted the security guard, attempting to headbutt him, punch him on the head and body and attempting to throw a chair at him.
Conroy then started shouting, swearing and making threats.
The court was given a comprehensive overview of Conroy’s various threats.
While in Marks and Spencer he shouted: “I’m going to stab you. I know where you live. I’ll hurt your family.”
When police arrived at the scene he carried on his tirade, saying to a female officer: “F ****** c **** . You f ****** slag, you have been s ****** off half the night shift.”
To another officer he said: “I would love to take you up and beat f*** out you.
“You’re lucky there’s no knife on me or I’d stab you.
“I’ll rip the Adam’s apple out your throat with my teeth.”
At Cathcart police office he told an officer: “I’ll cut your ears off, you f ****** p***.”
The charges against Conroy said his actions were aggravated by prejudice towards sexual orientation and racially aggravated.
His defence agent said: “You can see the record before the court.
“He had just been released from prison on the Friday. He receives custodial sentences and has not received a community disposal since 2010.
“He is a classic case of the revolving door of short term custodial sentences. “He was extremely drunk.
“He has struggled since the death of his mother in 2017. Following her death he become homeless but he has spent more time in custody than he has in homeless shelters.
“He uses alcohol and drugs as a means to cope.”
Sheriff Alan Findlay sentenced Conroy to a Community Payback Order that will see him under supervision from social work for one year.
Conroy will be called back to the court for a review in one month.
The sheriff said: “Can you sort all this?”
Conroy replied: “Yes.”
Sheriff Findlay said: “There’s more to life than this.
“The guy in Marks and Spencer’s didn’t deserve this, did he?
“Come on then.”
You’re lucky there’s no knife on me or I’d stab you