Terrified man hid in cupboard after noisy revellers burst into his flat

A horrified man hid in a bedroom cupboard as noisy revellers from a party downstairs broke down the door of his Airdrie flat.

He could hear one of the intruders, Michael Forbes, threatening to “chop”him if he didn’t show himself.

Fortunately, the unwelcome visitors left without inflicting any damage and Forbes landed in the dock at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week.

The 28-year-old admitted forcing entry to the flat in Mill Road, with intent to assault, on January 27.

Forbes, of Clydebank, also admitted stealing a bluetooth speaker from the flat.

The court heard that the trouble started because the man complained about loud music from the flat downstairs.

The party went on into the early hours and, unable to sleep, the man finally switched on his own music.

Lauren Cole, prosecuting, told the court:“at 7am he heard a loud bang at his front door and the accused shouting,‘come out or I’ll chop you’.

“The man got into a bedroom cupboard then heard a crashing noise and people entering his flat.

“He continued to hide in the cupboard while these persons came into his bedroom. Then they left his flat and he emerged to find the front door off its hinges.”

Police arrived on the scene a short time later. They got no answer at the downstairs flat and had to force entry.

A foot sticking out from under a bed belonged to Forbes who asked,“is this cause I was upstairs?”

The stolen speaker was found in the bath.

Defence agent Paul Sweeney told the court that dad-of-two Forbes had“no excuse”for his behaviour.

The solicitor stated:“a significant amount of alcohol was taken at this party.

“He stupidly became involved when the neighbour, quite rightly, complained about the noise.

“There was no planning involved.

“His record does him no credit, but there has been a gap in his offending since 2017.”

Sheriff Morag Shankland jailed Forbes for 22 months, reduced from 33 months because of his guilty pleas.

She told him: “Breaching the security of someone’s home is a very serious matter.

“This must have been terrifying for the gentleman who had to take refuge in a cupboard.

“Fortunately, he was not discovered, but your intentions were perfectly clear and you were on bail for a solemn matter at the time.”