Sheriff throws thief a lifeline
A Renfrewshire man who was in possession of a knife in a public place – and stole jewellery, clothing and medication from a Paisley property – has been given a chance to prove himself by a sheriff.
William Byres had the weapon in his waistband in Dalskeith Road on September 5, 2020, telling cops he had just“found it the other day”.
The 46-year-old then went on to cause over £4,000 worth of damage when he smashed the patio windows of a property in Paisley’s Hillman Road on October 14 last year in order to break in.
Byres was caught in the kitchen by the homeowner trying to steal letters, medication, clothing, electrical items, jewellery and shoes.
But Sheriff Bruce Erroch KC gave the thug an “unusual”chance stating the“ball is very much in your court”when he deferred sentence for six months.
Prosecutor David Gallagher previously told Paisley Sheriff Court that on the September 5 date officers wearing plain clothes spotted Byres at the front door of a property previously linked with selling drugs and, when he was searched, a lockback knife was discovered.
Mr Gallagher said:“The accused was informed he was under arrest and indicated he understood and when asked if he had a reply to his arrest, he stated,‘Something silly that I’ve done, I found it the other day.’
“Byres was cautioned and charged and replied,‘I took it out, sometimes you just don’t think’.”
For the October 14 incident, Mr Gallagher told how the couple who lived in the Hillman Road property left their house to go to work with everything in order.
Mr Gallagher explained: “The property was locked and secured when Mr and Mrs Ryan left to go to work.
“Mrs Ryan returned around 2.20pm and, as she unlocked the front door, she observed a number of pairs of shoes strewn over the hallway which she found strange.
“She shouted for her husband thinking he was at home and at this time she observed Byres within the kitchen facing away from her. She observed the accused attempting to lift large bags and walk out of the kitchen through the patio windows that he had smashed.
“Mrs Ryan panicked and shouted,‘What are you doing’and grabbed the accused by his jacket.
“The accused mumbles and walked away and Mrs Ryan contacted the police and ran to the front of her home.
“She alerted a police witness Kerr, an off-duty police officer who was nearby, and informed him of what happened.
“Byres was observed walking down Hillman Road carrying a large blue suitcase, a green shopping bag and a black JD sports bag.”
The accused was apprehended by Kerr and then arrested as police attended the scene. Items were recovered and identified as belonging to the couple.
“The value of the items stolen was £1,000 and there was full recovery,”Mr Gallagher added.“The damage to the property as a result of the housebreaking was £4,500.”
Defence agent, James Arrol explained Byres “requires assistance and management.”
Mr Arrol said:“He was subject to a drug treatment testing order prior to being remanded.
“It hasn’t been revoked, it continues. He doesn’t attempt in anyway to minimise his behaviour. He is struggling a lot with difficulties right now and requires assistance and management and he won’t get that in custody, only upon his release.”
Sentencing, Sheriff Bruce Erroch KC said:“The offences to which you pled guilty are each offences I’d be justified in imposing a sentence of imprisonment today, and that may well be what you are expecting.
“I am conscious of the fact you’ve spent some time in remand. If I were to impose a custodial sentence today you may very well be released in a matter of months and that wouldn’t be in your interest or in the public interest. I am going to take an unusual step and grant you your liberty today, and defer sentence for six months for you to be of good behaviour. The ball is very much in your court, you’ve been given enough rope to hang yourself.
“If you don’t comply with your DTTO, you’re going back to where you came from today.”
Byres of Ferguslie Park Avenue, was released on bail and will return to court on September 12 for sentencing.