Man jailed for threatening to bomb pharmacy in city

ATHUG who threatened to bomb a pharmacy after assaulting two employees has been jailed for 21 months. Thomas O’Donnell lashed out at the chemist in Glasgow’s Possilpark on March 18, 2022.

The 51- year- old flew into a fit of rage after being refused medication which he had earlier spat out.

O’Donnell went on to throw a bottle at worker Eilidh Teale twice, with the latter attempt striking her shoulder.

He also struck another employee with a door on the way out.

O’Donnell proclaimed: “I’m coming back and if don’t [ receive medication] I will bomb this shop and come after yous.”

O’Donnell pleaded guilty yesterday at Glasgow Sheriff Court to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.

He also admitted assaulting Ms

Teale and Andrew Wood as well as spitting a small wrap at a police officer.

The court heard Ms Teale gave O’Donnell his medication.

Prosecutor Lauren Donnelly said: “O’Donnell suddenly started coughing causing him to spit it out.”

O’Donnell asked for it to be replaced and he was told this “could not be possible”.

O’Donnell shouted and swore as employees tried to calm him down.

He picked up a bottle and threw it in the direction of Ms Teale but it struck a perspex cover.

Ms Donnelly added: “He picked up the bottle again and threw it at Ms Teale striking her to the shoulder area.”

He then slammed a door as he was making his way out which hit Mr Wood on his back.

O’Donnell then made the bomb threat among other warnings.

He said: “Do you want a dagger in your throat, I’m gonna stab you on the neck, get in the van I’m gonna to do you, I’m gonna to kick your windscreen in, you need to come here to work every week I’m gonna get you.”

Police later traced O’Donnell where he was arrested and found to have hidden small wraps in his mouth.

One of them was spat at PC Andrew McLaughlin’s body.

Peter Farrell, defending, told the court that O’Donnell is “ashamed of himself” and what he did was “despicable”.

Sheriff Tony Kelly said: “You have been round the block a couple of times and know the court’s attitude towards this conduct.

“These people were acting in the course of their employment and you treated them appallingly.

“To threaten them in the way that you did, the court can’t do anything other than impose imprisonment.”

O’Donnell replied: “I am ashamed, I’m sorry.”