Gas sniffer let off with a warning
A mum was caught sniffing gas in the town centre in broad daylight.
Debbie Shankland, 37, has been warned to get clean after she was nabbed sniffing the aerosol can.
Shoppers looked on horrified as cops snatched the spray from her.
Shankland admitted breach of the peace during a hearing at Paisley Sheriff Court.
Prosecutor Frankie Morgan told how police spotted her surrounded by onlookers. He said: “Police were on foot patrol within the town centre.
“They observed the accused holding a canister of butane gas at her nose and mouth.
“They understood her to be inhaling it.
“They approached her and removed the butane gas can from her hand.
“There were members of the public about.
“There was an elderly gentleman looking and shaking his head.
“Another person was heard to say, ‘that’s shocking, there’s weans about’.
“Police advised her behaviour had alarmed them and members of the public and this is considered a breach of the peace.”
Shankland was caught with the aerosol in Paisley’s Dunn Square.
She was inhaling from the canister when she was stopped around 3.20pm on June 25.
She was also rapped for shoplifting from Boots earlier this year.
Shankland was caught on CCTV taking just £14 worth of cosmetics from the branch in Paisley Road, Renfrew.
Defence lawyer David Nicholson admitted his client had struggled with drugs.
He said: “She has difficulties with substance misuse. “She has resorted to theft to fund that.
“There have been changes in her circumstances for the positive.
“She’s in accommodation where she is supported.”
The court heard Shankland had made an effort to kick the drugs.
Her solicitor insisted she is taking strides to beat her habit and stop offending.
Sheriff Colin Pettigrew warned she must break the cycle or face punishment.
He said: “I am aware of the progress you have made.
“I will defer sentence in respect of this matter.
“But there can be no repetition.”
Shankland, of Victoria Drive East, Renfrew, has been ordered to return to court on December 18.