Yob who lashed out at supermarket security guard is spared prison

A notorious shoplifter battered a security guard with a rucksack after he was chucked out of a Paisley supermarket.

Christopher Jones, 20, flipped out at Iain White, who had helped colleagues remove him from Morrisons store in the town’s Thread Street.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard Jones got into a scuffle with Mr White when he swung his rucksack hitting his victim on the face, leaving blood streaming from a cut.

Procurator Fiscal Depute Fiona Holligan said: “At 9pm the complainer had finished working at Morrisons and was seated outside the shop on a bench where he saw Jones.

“The complainer was sitting with another male where they were discussing security.

“Jones was seen in possession of a black rucksack. The complainer followed him into the store and alerted colleagues there.

“He then returned to sit on the bench outside.

“Other members of staff recognised Jones.

“Jones had previously been barred from the premises and he was escorted outside.

“Jones walked up to the complainer and shouted at him.

“The complainer has then pushed him away.

“Jones in response swung his rucksack at the complainer, striking him on the left side of his head.

“The complainer then saw blood pouring from the side of his face.

“Jones picked up his rucksack and left.”

Jones, from Abercorn Street in the town’s north side, pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting Mr White by striking him on the head with a backpack to his injury on June 29 last year.

Defence agent Charlie McCusker said Jones had recently been released after a spell inside and now realised the error of his ways.

He said: “He was released after a 15-month sentence in May this year.

“This offence came to light as a pending matter while he was in custody.

“Since May he has not been in trouble and is very keen to avoid any further offending and is looking at starting a college course.

“He has applied for a food hygiene course and a painting and decorating course.

“He is hoping to gain his own tenancy and describes housing association workers as coaches.”

The lawyer said Jones was willing to undergo unpaid work and would comply with supervision as he was keen to stay out of trouble and “make something of himself.”

Mr McCusker said Jones was known to the authorities over “matters of theft,” but said the complainer had pushed him and he reacted by swinging his rucksack at him.

Sheriff James Spy spared Jones custody but handed him 12 months of mandatory supervision by the local authority.

He said: “You have the opportunity to get yourself back on track and make something of yourself with the college course.”

He will appear for a review of his behaviour on November 29.