Teen thug tagged for punching cops
Warning for yob
A violent lout who attacked cops called out to a domestic disturbance, has been tagged by a sheriff.
Rian Patterson, 19, was handed unpaid work as a punishment for assaulting police officers attending the rammy involving his partner Linda Higgins.
The burly teen headbutted, punched, swore and made threats towards two constables who attended the house in Dimity Street, Johnstone, amid concerns for Miss Higgins’ welfare.
But Paisley Sheriff Court heard the yob had flouted the order handed to him last September by the court for the offence.
Defence agent Gemma Rathey said: “He breached the community payback order and sentence was deferred. He offers no real explanation for his failing to attend for appointments.
“He lost his grandmother at the time the order was imposed. He lives with his mother and helped support her during her grieving.
“But he struggles to understand or even comprehend what is going on. Prior to this incident he had never come to the attention of the authorities.”
The lawyer added that Patterson of Maple Drive, in Johnstone, was convicted of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner likely to cause fear or alarm in that he repeatedly shouted, swore and utter threats and caused a breach of the peace on March 5, 2017.
He also admitted assaulting two police officers in the execution of their duty by repeatedly punching them on the body and striking them with his head.
Miss Rathey urged the court to consider a restriction of liberty order for the teenager, who provides support for his partner and their young son.
Sheriff Tom McCartney tore a strip off Patterson for ignoring the order where he was given three months to do 100 hours unpaid work for the benefit of the community.
He said: “You assaulted two police officers in the execution of their duty by repeatedly punching them on the body and striking them with your head - this is a very serious matter.
“You were given the opportunity of a community payback order and were not keen to comply with it.
“You have put yourself in a very difficult position.
“The only reason I am not going to impose a sentence is your absence of previous convictions.”
He made Patterson subject to a restriction of liberty order for four months, requiring him to be at his home address between 7pm and 7am each day.
He also warned him not to tamper with the electronic device or it would result in an “additional penalty.”