Clothes horse used to smash windows

A man used a clothes horse to smash windows at his former neighbour’s home in Craigneuk.

Ian MacDonald claimed he was angry because his partner had been bitten by the neighbour’s dog and had landed in hospital.

MacDonald, 34, now of Glencairn Avenue, Craigneuk, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.

He admitted damaging property in Golfhill Road and breaching bail conditions by going there.

MacDonald also admitted assaulting a police officer and threatening officers.

Alice Carey, prosecuting, said MacDonald appeared in court on November 24 in relation to another matter involving his former neighbour.

He was given bail and ordered to stay away from the man and not to return to Golfhill Road.

The former neighbour left his home about 6.45pm on December 18 and two hours later a woman who lives nearby heard banging from the flat.

Ms Carey told the court: “The witness saw the accused in the rear garden. He was smashing the windows of the ground floor property with a clothes horse.

“The woman captured this on

CCTV and told the accused she had contacted the police in an attempt to stop him causing further damage.

“However, he paid no attention and continued with his unruly behaviour.”

Police officers arrived and arrested MacDonald who kicked one officer on the leg.

Ms Carey added: “Due to his level of intoxication and a small cut on his finger, it was decided to transfer him to hospital.

“The accused tried to avoid being placed in the cell van and demanded his handcuffs be taken off.

“He told two officers that if he met them at the shops he would break their jaws.”

MacDonald’s lawyer said bad feeling began when his partner was bitten on the leg by the former neighbour’s dog.

The solicitor stated: “This led to infection and several hospital admissions, and the woman has been left quite immobile.”

Sentence was deferred until next month for a criminal justice social work report and MacDonald, who had been in custody since December, was released on bail.

Sheriff Ray Small told him: “If the report is favourable you’ll get a community payback order, but if there is any more nonsense between you and your former neighbour it’s likely to be a more serious outcome.”