Thug attacks police officer

An Airdrie thug who assaulted a police officer at University Hospital Monklands has been given a community payback order.

Darren Johnson, 38, carried out his attack on April 20 this year after behaving in a threatening and abusive manner.

The Robertson Street resident admitted shouting, swearing aggressively and placing others in a state of fear and alarm before lashing out at the officer.

Johnson pushed the cop, causing his head to strike a wall.

He then kicked his victim, causing them both to fall to the ground.

During his sentencing at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week, Johnson’s defence solicitor, Mark Lutton, said: “My client acknowledges the seriousness of this. There is a very detailed report into his personal circumstances and he had consumed an excessive level of alcohol.

“He had even been contemplating suicide on the same day and any judgement he had was clouded. It was a very distressing time for him, but that doesn’t excuse his actions.

Sheriff Scott Pattison asked if unpaid work was a realistic possibility, before Lutton continued: “He’s confident he can complete unpaid work and says he isn’t setting himself up for a fall.

“Twenty years ago was when he was last in trouble for being violent.

“I’d urge you step back from considering a custodial sentence and look at a community payback order.”

Sheriff Pattison made it clear a compensation order would need to be part of any sentence before continuing: “This is very serious. You assaulted a police officer in a hospital.

“You haven’t been in any bother for a while so I won’t jail you, instead I’ll impose a community payback order.

“However, if that is breached and you end up here before me again, you will be jailed.

“I’m placing you under supervision for 18 months during which you will attend any addiction services your supervising officer sees fit.

“With regards to unpaid work, I will take you at your word. You will carry out 150 hours, reduced from 200, and also pay a £350 compensation amount to the police officer.”

Knife possession

An Airdrie woman who lied to police about having a knife in her possession has been given unpaid work.

Lorraine Beattie was searched by officers on July 12 this year after reports were made to police regarding a woman acting suspiciously in the car park at Coatbridge’s Faraday retail park.

Beattie pled guilty and appeared at Airdrie Sheriff Court for sentencing, when the procurator fiscal read: “Police asked the accused if she had anything dangerous on her possession.

“She told them she didn’t but upon searching her they found a knife in her jacket pocket.

“She was taken to Coatbridge police office where they also found a concealed screwdriver.”

Beattie, 31, of Gartleahill, was represented by Mark Lutton who said: “My client has told me that at the time her drug issues were ‘so far gone’.

She accepts responsibility for this and pleaded guilty at the trial diet.

“She is making progress with another order and is suitable for unpaid work.”

Sheriff Scott Pattison told Beattie: “You’re doing well in another order and I don’t want to disrupt that. I won’t send you to prison.

“You better do these hours I am giving you. I will impose an order consisting of 200 hours which will be completed in 12 months, and this is an alternative to custody.”

Bit police officers

A vicious brute who bit two cops during a University Hospital Monklands meltdown will return to court to be sentenced.

Gary Cunningham, 35, owned up to behaving in a threatening and abusive manner within the hospital on May 17, before biting the two shocked officers on their bodies.

While on bail, he was instructed to refrain from entering Spruce Road in his home town of Cumbernauld, but was lifted by cops after doing so on June 7.

Whilst en route to Coatbridge police office he attempted to headbutt an officer and kicked another on the body.

Cunningham will return to Airdrie Sheriff Court to be sentenced on January 8 once a criminal justice social work report has been compiled.

Deferred sentence

An Airdrie man accused of not taking his community payback order seriously will return to court.

Paul Aspden’s sentencing has been postponed because of other matters calling at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

The 37- year- old was due to face the music for an alleged breach of a community payback order he was given earlier this year.

Aspden was given the order for driving while over the legal alcohol limit and without a licence in Prestwick in March, and will return to Airdrie Sheriff Court on December 20.

He is scheduled to appear at Glasgow this week in relation to two incidents, the details of which weren’t disclosed in court.

His defence solicitor said: “My client has around 60 hours left on a current order.

“Can you consider this after his Glasgow Sheriff Court date on December 7?”

Sheriff Pattison said: “This will return on December 20 due to the accused having other matters calling at Glasgow Sheriff Court.”

He had even been contemplating suicide on the same day and any judgement he had was clouded