Last chance for drunk left in charge of kids
He faces jail if he fails to attend alcohol counselling
A sheriff has slated a drunk who was so plastered while in charge of two young children that the police were called.
Owen Stewart, 24, had been left to care for a oneyear- old and an eightyear old at an address in Johnstone, but he was so boozed-up he could barely stand when cops showed up at the house.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard yesterday the accused, formerly of Elderslie, failed to turn up for a single alcohol counselling appointment – despite being handed a probation order following his shocking behaviour in January.
Defence agent Rhona Lynch admitted Stewart’s conduct left a lot to be desired, when he appeared for a sentence review before Sheriff Tom McCartney.
She said: “The report is not in positive terms and there have been concerns regarding the accused’s application to the order.
“But I have stressed to him the court order must be given immediate priority. It must be the first thing he attends to.”
Ho w e v e r, Sh e r i f f McCartney, who handed Stewart a Community Payback Order lasting 12 months where he will be placed under the supervision of social workers, and will attend drink and drug addiction sessions, as well performing 100 hours unpaid work, tore a strip off the accused.
He said: “One of the most significant factors in making this order involved serious issues relating to alcohol abuse.
“So here we are a couple of months later and he has attended none of these appointments.
“If he is not going to attend these appointments they would be better going to someone else.”
The court heard Stewart claim he had attended, however, reports before the court showed there had been no sessions confirmed.
His lawyer Mrs Lynch said she had stressed to her client, the court could revoke the order and send him to custody if he doesn’t toe the line.
Sheriff McCartney gave the accused one more chance to comply with the order, adding: “If you don’t comply you will be only making it difficult for yourself.”
He will appear for a further review of his conduct in July.