Pensioner had been walking dog
A brute who battered a pensioner in an attempted robbery bid has been handed a punishment order instead of a jail term.
Thug Owen McCready, 27, attacked Colin Haxton, 67, in front of his wife and neighbours just yards from the victim’s home.
McCready punched him to the ground, and continued to lay into the OAP as he bawled: “Give us your money.”
Prosecutor Colin Wilson had told Paisley Sheriff Court how the yob pounced and demanded cash before launching the violent attack.
He said: “Mr Haxton had left his home to walk the dog.
“He observed McCready lying on the grass a short distance from his home.
“As Mr Haxton passed him, he got up, approached him and then punched him on the head.
“McCready was shouting, ‘give us your money’.
“Mr Haxton managed to make his way to the front of his house.
“McCready continued to punch him, knocking him to the ground.
“Mr Haxton’s wife, Frances, was in the home waiting for him to return and heard shouting from the living room.
“She observed McCready punching her husband when he was on the ground.
“He kept shouting: ‘give us it, just give us it’.”
McCready followed Mr Haxton onto his own property and continued the assault when he refused to hand over his wallet.
Neighbours ran to help after they saw the bully holding the bloodied man against the wall of his home.
And when police were called and the would- be robber fled via an industrial estate where he was arrested following the attack which happened on August 2, last year.
McCready, of Westwood Gardens, in the town’s Ferguslie, appeared in the dock for sentencing this week after pleading guilty to the robbery attack, as well as to racially abusing a police officer.
Defence agent Gemma Rathey said matters had been continued while reports were sought from Dykebar Hospital where McCready had been receiving treatment.
She said: “Comments in the psychological report would provide an explanation, given the nature of the matter.”
However, Sheriff Frances McCartney said she had been considering sending him to jail for the offence.
But she decided to hand him a £500 compensation order as well as a Community Payback Order as a “direct alternative to custody.”
She said: “I will impose a CPO lasting two years with conduct requirements that you will attend all appointments under the supervision of the social work department, including psychological assessments and alcohol counselling as directed.
“You will also perform 180 hours of unpaid work within nine months of today’s date.
“There is also a requirement to pay compensation to Mr Haxton of £500.”
McCready who will appear for a review of his conduct next month was warned that any breach of the order will result in custody.