Keep out of trouble or you’re going to jail

Troubled lout given stark warning from sheriff

An abusive yob who kicked off at the police has been warned to ‘toe the line’ — or face jail.

Charles McGoff, 39, made threats, shouted and swore abuse at officers called to a disturbance in Paisley’s Brown Street on March 27.

McGoff, who has a lengthy record of crimes of dishonesty, was found guilty after a trial last month at Paisley Sheriff Court.

The lout, of Douglas Street, in the town’s west end appeared for sentencing yesterday, where he was told to keep his nose clean or he would be sent back to jail.

Defence agent Jonathan Manson said: “He has not had his troubles to seek over the years.

“He suffered a serious injury when he jumped from a building and has continued to suffer from problems for a significant period of time.

“He has encountered problems with community-based disposals in the past, as the writer of the report suggests, but I can confirm he would be willing to comply with a court order in respect of this matter.”

The lawyer urged the court to consider a Restriction of Liberty Order for McGoff, and asked for his sentencing to be deferred until other outstanding court matters are dealt with.

He added: “He does have a significant record and he realises the court’s options are limited.”

Previously, McGoff fell more than 20ft from a bridge at the White Cart Water and he was the centre of a daring rescue by the emergency services in Paisley in October 2008.

However, he also fell off a building during a bungled raid at a hairdressing salon in April 2014, when he was trying to evade police.

Sheriff Tom McCartney agreed with the lawyer, telling McGoff: “I will defer sentence on you for a period of four months for you to be of good behaviour.

“However, any further offending and the court will take a limited view of alternatives, and a custodial sentence will be considered.”