Health centre yob is warned that he could be facing jail

Lout brandished syringe and shouted and swore at staff

A thug who sparked mayhem by waving a syringe in a packed health centre is facing jail.

Raymond McKenna, 32, lost the plot when he repeatedly punched and kicked walls, brandished an uncapped needle, shouted and swore abuse at centre staff.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard troubled McKenna was arrested after the disturbance at Renfrew Health Centre, Ferry Road, in the town on May 17. Yesterday he appeared for sentencing. However, defence agent Gordon Ritchie asked the court to consider seeking both a psychiatric assessment and drug treatment report before considering its disposal.

He said: “He appears for sentencing following his plea of guilty on the charge but it might beneficial to the court if there was psychiatric involvement.

“I have known the accused and the family for some time and it would be fairly obvious there is a history of psychiatric illness.

“The accused presents as a young man who is unwell and that is not only down to his drug use.

“I believe reports would be of assistance before the court considers its sentence.”

McKenna, of Paisley Road, Renfrew, pleaded guilty to charges of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear or alarm.

He is said to have repeatedly punched and kicked walls at Renfrew Health Centre and behaved in a threatening manner while holding an uncapped needle in his hand, and did shout and swear.

He pleaded not guilty to charges that he hindered and obstructed police officers and this was accepted by the Crown.

Sheriff James Spy said he would continue matters for three weeks for the court to obtain more information.

He urged to accused to cooperate with the authorities prior to his next court appearance.

McKenna will learn of his fate when appears for sentence on July 4, before Sheriff Spy.