Award for climate group
Climate Action Strathaven have won a national award for their work in the community.
They recently scooped up the Climate Conscious gong at the Scottish Charity Awards.
The group, who were established in 2020, aim to advance citizenship and environmental protection and improvements.
A range of climate-positive initiatives have been launched throughout the years – including bike reuse and maintenance projects, car sharing and a community bus project.
Most recently, the group responded to the community’s need for local, trustworthy advice on improving their home energy.
The organisation is helping homeowners assess and improve the energy efficiency of their homes and offer free sessions at their Strathaven Climate Hub, where groups can learn about the measures that they can take to make a real difference to their energy usage.
A 65-year-old man suffered brain damage when his head hit the ground after an assault at East Kilbride bus station.
Stephen Watt, 60, was ordered to pay the victim £2500 compensation this week, but avoided a prison sentence.
He admitted assault to severe injury and permanent impairment in Cornwall Way on July 14, 2022.
Hamilton Sheriff Court was shown CCTV footage of the incident which happened after words were exchanged between the men.
Defence solicitor Stephen McQuillan said the victim had hurled abuse at Watt, adding that he “had his arms up and was challenging him”.
Mr McQuillan continued: “My client was with friends and they were waiting for a bus.
“He accepts he should have walked away. If he had done that this terrible harm would not have come to the other man.
“Instead he made a terrible mistake, shoving him on the face and causing him to fall.”
Sheriff Michael Higgins said he took into account the victim’s behaviour before the assault and the fact that Watt had shown remorse.
The sheriff told him: “You say you are ashamed and apologise for your behaviour.
“You have a previous conviction for assault for which you received a community-based sentence, but that was a considerable time ago and there have been no other crimes of violence since.
“I take the view that in the unusual circumstances I can step away from imposing a custodial sentence.”
Watt will be under supervision for 30 months and must attend alcohol or any other addiction service if required.
He will be electronically tagged for nine months, meaning he’s confined to his home between 7pm and 7am each day.
Watt must pay compensation to the victim at the rate of £100 per month.