Man who had a pick axe was shouting and swearing

Police broke down the door of a Hamilton house after discovering a man inside had a pick axe.

The drastic action was taken because of fears for other people inside, Hamilton Sheriff Court heard this week.

Douglas Boothroyd, 52, admitted threatening or abusive behaviour at an address in Arden Terrace on Sunday,

April 26.

Sheriff Allan Mckay deferred sentence for good behaviour and admitted he was dealing with Boothroyd leniently because of the coronavirus situation.

Emma Baker, prosecuting, said police got a call which caused them to look for the accused.

She told the court:“they went to this house about 10.50pm.

“He was shouting and swearing, and he wouldn’t open the door.

“One officer looked through the letterbox and saw Boothroyd had a long-handled pick axe.

“Due to fears for other people in the house, the officers forced entry through the door.

“The accused was arrested and the pick axe seized.

“He was not formally charged at this point due to his extreme level of intoxication.”

Defence agent Andy Iles said Boothroyd, who admitted previous convictions, is employed as a driver, but had been off work sick and is now furloughed because of the coronavirus situation.

Mr Iles added:“he has been finding it difficult to cope. He had a drug problem previously, which he had managed, but has relapsed recently.”

Sheriff Mckay said that under normal circumstances he would call for background reports before sentencing, but given the current pressure on resources he would not do that.

The sheriff told Boothroyd, who appeared from custody:“these are unusual times and I’ll deal with you in a different way than I would normally.

“You must be of good behaviour and return to court in October.”