Hammer-wielding thug caged for eight months after ‘vigilante’ rammy

A hammer- wielding dad launched a “vigilante” attack at a man’s home after hearing his friend had been attacked.

Raging Ian Bell, 36, armed himself with the weapon and started smashing windows at the property while shouting abuse at the residents and telling them to come outside.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard father- of- four Bell went to the property at Mains River, in Erskine, with the intention of confronting the complainer, Alexander Watson.

Procurator Fiscal depute Megan Glancy said: “The complainer’s brother Terence became aware of a loud bang and the sound of smashing coming from outside.

“He ran from the bedroom and, looking out of the window, he saw the accused with a hammer.

“The accused continued to strike the window with the hammer which was in his possession.

“Mr Bell was heard to shout, ‘You are f****** getting it.’

“Alexander Watson came to the window at that point and asked the accused, ‘What is your f****** problem? And why are you doing this?’

“The accused went to the side the of the property where he began smashing the kitchen window.”

Ms GLancy said Bell made off down a lane and he was heard to shout: “I will come back with my gun and finish you off.”

The complainer called police who traced and arrested Bell.

He appeared from custody and pleaded guilty to a charge of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner, shouting threats of violence and striking the house with a hammer on February 8.

Defence agent Stephen Fox said: “The background to this involved a female who lived in the area who Ian Bell is friends with.

“She was subject to an assault by one of the householders, who has subsequently received custody.

“He was irate at the situation involving his friend.

“He turned up at the house and invited the householder to come outside.

“The hammer was lying in the garden and when he saw the householder come to the window various words were exchanged.”

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry told Bell: “It should have been blindingly obvious to you that a crime should not be followed by you committing a further criminal act.

“You acted like some kind of vigilante in this matter.”

He handed Bell eight months in jail, reduced from 12 months, because of his guilty plea.