Sheriff shows mercy on thug who punched shop worker in face

Warning for woman after brawl and Buckfast theft

A boozed-up thief who brawled with a shopkeeper and stole bottles of Buckfast wine has been shown mercy by a sheriff.

Troubled Samantha McLean, 20, sparked mayhem at the Spar store in the town’s Renfrew Road, when she punched Tariq Khattar and struggled violently with him, with them both ending up wrestling on the floor.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard McLean, of Gallowhill Court in the town, was well known to staff when troubled flared on May 29, this year.

Fiscal depute Carol Cameron said: “Around 6.30pm on Sunday evening staff were working in the shop where the accused was known to them, regularly shopping there. “She appeared to be drunk. “They were concerned about her. They kept their eye on her.

“A few minutes later she was seen to select a number of items and staff were fearful she was going to steal them.

“Mr Khattar approached her and attempted to get the items from her. “She punched him on the face. “She startled to struggle with him using both her hands. This struggle went on for 40 seconds or so with both of them on the floor of the shop.”

The event, captured on CCTV, showed the accused leaving the store emptyhanded.

However, five minutes later she returned and made a beeline for the drinks’ aisle.

The fiscal added: “The accused went back to the shop, walked up to the drinks area, selected Buckfast wine and left the store without paying for it.”

McLean appeared for sentencing after pleading guilty to charges of assaulting Mr Khattar by punching him and struggling with him, and to stealing alcohol at Spar, Renfrew Road.

Defence agent Terry Gallanagh said his client was a “troubled” young woman who has been blighted with health difficulties but that she had remained trouble free from date of the offence.

He said: “She has been engaging well with the authorities, has stayed out of trouble, and has made progress, according to reports available to the courts.

“At her last appearance a sheriff said he would consider admonishing her, if she was of good behaviour, and she has kept her word.”

Sheriff Tom McCartney agreed with the lawyer, however, he warned there had better not be a repeat of any offending from the accused.

He said: “People are often sent to prison for that kind of offence.

“Assaulting someone who, in the course of their employment, is dealing with members of the public, is a serious offence.

“However, I am prepared to admonish you taking into account of the progress you have made.

“There must be no more offending or you will be brought back to court.”