Cops arrest man over obscene comments

Victim captured incident on CCTV

A Paisley man has appeared in court and admitted making obscene comments to his neighbour in the street.

At Paisley Sheriff Court yesterday, 51- year- old Brian Flanagan pled guilty to verbally abusing Julie McNamara.

Flanagan’s defence agent Tony Callahan told the court that there was bad feeling between his client and neighbour Ms McNamara that was “long-standing.”

The court heard how Flanagan hurled abuse, which was sexually offensive, at her in Glenburn Crescent on March 27.

In court, Flanagan admitted that he had behaved in a threatening or abusive manner likely to cause fear and alarm to others.

He admitted to shouting, being aggressive and making a sexuallyoffensive comment towards Ms McNamara.

Depute fiscal Claire Nicholls told the court that the Crown would be moving for a NonHarrassment Order to be made against the accused following the outburst, which was described as “a serious matter,” by Sheriff David Pender.

Ms Nicholls said Ms McNamara had left her house across the street from the accused’s home just before 3pm.

She saw him getting out of his car and, as she passed, he made an obscene remark that alarmed her.

Due to the ongoing difficulties, Ms McNamara had a CCTV camera running at her home and this captured the incident.

Police were called and after watching the tape and hearing the offensive comment made, they arrested Flanagan.

Sheriff Pender told Flanagan that due to the serious nature of the offence set against his record, he would need background reports ahead of sentencing.

He deferred sentence to August 14 and ordered Flanagan to appear back in court on that date.

Sheri f f Pender said that the issue of the Non-Harrassment Order will also be resolved on that date.