Thug who threw dog out of window given last chance by sheriff

Yob blamed moving house for missing court dates

A Paisley yob who sparked outrage by throwing a puppy out of a window has been shown mercy by a sheriff.

Alexander Arrol, 33, had been due to turn up for sentencing at Paisley Sheriff Court after admitting public disorder and shoplifting offences.

He was also supposed to attend for monitoring of his Drug Treatment and Testing Order (DTTO) but failed to show for the hearing in February.

Arrol, now living in the town’s Storie Street after falling out with his aunt where he had been previously been staying, claimed he had not received the summons because of his recent change of address.

He had been arrested on a warrant and ordered to appear at court yesterday where his defence agent Rhona Lynch said he had been doing well up until now.

She urged the court to show him leniency as he has been attempting to change his ways and tackle his drug addiction.

She said: “He appears on three matters.

“Two deferred sentences and a DTTO which is being monitored by the court.

“He had been doing well the last time he appeared and was making progress on the order. However he suffered some personal problems which led to a falling out with his aunt.

“He is now living at a new address and letters sent to his previous address led to difficulties in him attending court.

“He is staying in touch with those monitoring him and has informed the court of his change of address.”

Arrol previously caused uproar after he hurled a puppy out of a third floor window in Paisley.

The brute left Jack Russell terrier Max with a broken leg following the attack in February 2017.

He was also handed eight months for bursting a man’s head open with a mop handle during an attack in the town’s Broomlands Street in August 2017.

He previously admitted causing a disturbance at the Acute Medical Unit in the Royal Alexandra Hospital in March last year by shouting and swearing at medical staff.

Arrol also stole a quantity of booze and food from Iceland at Houston Square, Johnstone, in March last year.

Sheriff Suhkwinder Gill said she was surprised to see him turn up at court to face the music and decided to give him a chance to prove he can continue to behave himself.

She said: “He is at least here today and I am delighted by this. So I will continue matters for three months.”

Arrol was ordered to appear back at court on July 6 where he will discover his fate.