Dad unleashed a baseball bat after party host told him to go
A disgruntled dad who struck a baseball bat off a fence after being thrown out of a house party has been fined.
Jamie McMaster, of Craighead Way, Barrhead, shouted abuse at party host Amy Montgomery, on May 6 last year before whacking a baseball bat and striking it off a fence in the town’s Aurs Crescent.
Procurator fiscal depute Caitlin O’Hare told Paisley Sheriff Court: “Amy Montgomery was within her home address with several other people, including McMaster.
“Ms Montgomery asked McMaster to leave and he did, but began shouting at her including phrases like, ‘Junkie b***h.’
“At this time, neighbours could hear this and contacted the police.
“The police attended a short time later and spoke with the neighbours, who said they had heard shouting and banging outside the house.
“Police made their way to Ms Montgomery’s house when they observed McMaster walking up a lane with a baseball bat and hitting a fence.
“Police told McMaster to drop the bat, which he eventually did.
“He was not cautioned and charged at that time due to levels of aggression and was taken to Govan police station.”
McMaster pleaded guilty to causing fear or alarm by shouting, swearing and being in possession of a baseball bat and striking a fence.
Defence agent Charlie McCusker explained that McMaster, 33, had recently served seven months in jail for another matter and this was not an enjoyable experience for him.
He said: “There has been no fresh offending since his release from jail.
“He has been alcohol free for ten months now and has even stopped smoking.
“His lifestyle is far more positive as a result of his changed behaviour.
“He has a son with a rare form of cerebral palsy and has spent a lot of time in intensive care.
“He realised that when he was in custody his son took unwell and was back in intensive care, and he feared he could have lost him.
“He is settled with his partner and is in full-time employment.”
Sheriff Sukhwinder Gill said: “I’ve been told you’ve been alcohol and drug free for ten months now, which is a significant period.
“You are now working, you’ve got a partner and a son and seem to be moving on.”
Sheriff Gill fined McMaster £450 and ordered him to pay a £20 victim surcharge to be paid at £10 per week.