Fined £400 on 21st birthday

A young Coatbridge man who floored a fellow club-goer with an ill- advised punch after a night out has been fined in court.

Darrell Dick was given the unwelcome birthday gift by Sheriff Derek O’Carroll when he appeared in front of him on his 21st last week.

Dick has been told to cough up £ 400 for his aggressive actions on Coatbridge’s Main Street in May.

He also lashed out at police officers who were trying to place him under arrest.

His defence solicitor Rowan Myles said: “This has been quite the education for him.

“He attended my office and viewed CCTV footage.

“He knew he had thrown a punch but he thought it had only caused the witness to stumble rather than fall over.

“The witness was in a group that manoeuvred up the street towards my client and his group; he didn’t just walk up and punch him on his own accord.

“He’s assessed as a minimum risk to others and is living in his family home.

“He earns £350 a week and is starting at college.

“He’s fit to pay a financial penalty and I don’t think he’ll be the first to raise his hands again.

“He should have let it blow over and walked away.”

Sheriff O’Carroll highlighted the fact that Dick “didn’t go quietly” when police arrested him.

Mr Myles answered: “No, he didn’t, but he had been out for the entirety of the night and taken substantial amounts of alcohol.”

Sheriff O’Carroll then ruled: “Having understood more fully the situation then I will accept all that has been said for you.

“There will be nothing more than a fine of £400. I have discounted that from £500 due to your plea of guilt.

“This must be paid in full in the next 28 days.”

Refused work

A man who resisted arrest from four police officers after hurling abuse at his ex-partner may end up being tagged.

Sean Hetherston, 26, of Coatbridge, appeared in court after admitting to causing his ex-partner fear and alarm by behaving in an aggressive manner on Viewfield Road last December.

The Dunnachie Place resident’s case was deferred earlier this year for good behaviour.

Sheriff Derek O’Carroll confirmed he wasn’t going to send Hetherston away with only a fine, and asked, “should I get a report on what else I could do?”

Hetherston’s solicitor asked his client if he was able to do unpaid work but the accused confirmed he wouldn’t undertake any due to suffering from epilepsy.

This was met with an eye roll from Sheriff O’Carroll who went on to say: “Very well, I’ll adjourn for a criminal justice social work report and a restriction of liberty assessment order.

“All options are very much open to the court.”

Lorry near miss

A Coatbridge driver who almost caused a smash with a lorry when driving while five-times the legal alcohol limit has been banned from the roads and hit in the pocket.

Alan Goldie, 42, carelessly pulled out of South Biggar Road’s junction with Carlisle Road in July.

A lorry was forced to slam on the brakes to avoid a potentially deadly collision with reckless Goldie.

His actions were spotted by police who subsequently pulled him over further along the road and then took him to Coatbridge police office.

His breathalyser reading showed an alcohol content of 119mg in 100ml of his breath. The legal limit is just 22mg.

Sheriff Derek O’Carroll said: “I’m not going to jail you but this is a very high reading.

“I expect you to keep working on your alcohol problem.

“You’re fortunate the charge is listed as careless driving rather than dangerous, and I’ll reflect that in my fine.

“That will be a sum of £1000, which is £500 each on the drink-driving charge and the careless driving one.

“You’re also banned from driving for a period of two years.”

Violent pensioner

A pensioner who admitted assaulting his wife in their Glenmavis home will return to court in December.

Edward Wilson, 70, injured his partner on September 28 this year during a brutal display of violence.

The Waddell Avenue resident punched her on the head, pulled her hair and caused her to fall to the ground.

He pled guilty to his appalling actions when appearing at court on October 1, but was unable to attend at court last week.

He will now appear on December 19 to discover his fate.

Breached order

A thug who breached his restriction of liberty order won’t face any further punishment.

Kieran O’Donnell, 21, of Burnbank Street, was part of a trio that carried out a horrific assault on Gibb Street last February.

He wielded a metal pole and assaulted two men before stealing their phones.

He was given a 12-month restriction of liberty order, which he admitted breaching.

But Sheriff Derek O’Carroll allowed the order to continue.

I don’t think he’ll be the first to raise his hands again. He should have let it blow over