Man, 45, jailed on car theft bid
Smashed vehicle window in attempt
A man has been jailed for drunkenly trying to steal a motor from a shopping centre car park.
Jonathan Mowatt ( 45), of Loch Linne Court in Bathgate, admitted breaking the window of the vehicle and attempting to steal it during an incident at the Asda car park in Armadale on August 20 this year.
He also admitted behaving in a threatening and abusive manner, by shouting, swearing and banging on the door of the store and to behaving in a threatening and abusive manner on August 21 at Primrose View in Armadale by shouting, swearing and uttering abusive threats to police officers.
Livingston Sheriff Court heard witnesses were working at the Asda store on the night of the offence when at around 11.30pm they heard loud banging and saw Mowatt punching the driver’s side window of a Citroen car, before watching him get into the car.
One of the employees identified the car as being hers and police were called.
The woman and other employees approached the car and saw Mowatt attempt to start it.
When he was told to get out the car, Mowatt responded by saying the car was his.
He got out the car and walked away but turned back again and as the employees went back into the store, he returned and started banging on the back door of the shop.
Police arrived shortly after and he was detained.
His solicitor, Kate Fabian, said Mowatt had consumed a large amount of alcohol before the offence and had an “encounter” with staff earlier on which he had taken offence to in his drunken state.
She continued: “He has difficulty controlling his temper having had so much to drink.
“It seems that alcohol has a link with a number of his previous convictions.
“He is not dependent on alcohol but has periods of excessive drinking on occasion.”
Sheriff Jamie Gilmour sentenced Mowatt to six months in prison, backdated to August 22.
A woman has appeared in court charged with attempting to murder two police officers by allegedly driving a car at them.
Sharon McKenzie (46), appeared on petition at Livingston Sheriff Court on Friday.
In addition to the murder attempt charge, McKenzie, faced a dangerous driving charge.
She was accused of driving while unfit through drink or drugs and failing to provide a breath specimen.
She was also charged with breach of the peace and resisting arrest during the alleged incident in Hopefield Drive, Blackburn, on Thursday afternoon.
Police reported earlier that two on-duty officers were responding to a report of concern for a person when one of them was struck by a black Mini Cooper.
The officer, who suffered minor injuries in the incident was taken to St John’s Hospital as a precaution.
McKenzie, who lives in Blackburn, made no plea or declaration.
She was committed for further examination and remanded in custody.
James Drysdale ( 43), from nearby Bathgate, made a separate appearance on petition at the same court also charged with attempted murder.
He made no plea or declaration and was also fully committed and remanded in custody pending further inquiries.
Chief Inspector Barry Blair, Police Scotland’s Area Commander for West Lothian, said the force was eager to establish the full circumstances of events surrounding the alleged attacks.
He said: “Anyone who was in the Hopefield Drive area on the evening of Thursday, October 13, and witnessed the incident, is asked to come forward immediately.”