Yob bricked a homeless unit

An Uddingston rowdy was warned this week that his “strange and bizarre” behaviour has put him on the verge of a prison sentence.

John Burns admitted smashing a window with a brick at the Blue Triangle homeless unit in Old Edinburgh Road, Viewpark, on February 27.

He also admitted kicking a door there repeatedly and throwing a can at a police car.

Hamilton Sheriff Court heard Burns was shouting for residents to come out of the building.

A support worker saw him pick up a brick and smash a window with it.

The police were contacted. Officers arrived and saw Burns drinking from a can which he then hurled at the windscreen of the police vehicle.

Burns, 21, of Deanbrae Street, Uddingston, also admitted throwing an aerosol can at a police officer in Logan Street, Blantyre, on September 21. He was the subject of two bail orders at the time.

The missile its target.

Defence agent Diarmid Bruce told the court his client has “issues”.

The solicitor explained: “He has been using drugs and his mental health is fragile.

“As a result, this strange and bizarre behaviour has taken place.

“His family are to steer him in the direction.”

After studying background failed to find keen right reports, Sheriff Allan Mckay told Burns: “You are a broadly intelligent man, but when you take alcohol and other substances you lose your mind.

“You need to stay off what triggers your anti-social behaviour as you are on the verge of going to prison.”

The sheriff said he was prepared to impose a community payback order as a direct alternative to custody.

Burns will be supervised for a year, must attend addiction counselling and has to do 100 hours of unpaid community work within six months.

He will also be electronically tagged for 45 days which means he’s confined to his home between 8pm and 6am each day.