Twelve-month sentence for drunken antics
A drunk assaulted a driver after disrupting traffic in Strathaven with his bizarre antics.
Kieran Welsh then spat at a civilian worker while being held at Motherwell police station.
Welsh, 24, of Kirk Street, Strathaven, appeared from custody via videolink at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.
He admitted threatening or abusive behaviour in Kirk Street on July 7.
Welsh also admitted assaulting a male motorist and a police station custody officer.
Neil Thomson, prosecuting, said Welsh was seen staggering on to the road about 3.15pm.
The fiscal stated: “[The motorist] braked and sounded his horn as the accused was blocking traffic.
“But Welsh staggered towards the stationary vehicle and slammed his hands repeatedly on the bonnet.
“He was shouting and being aggressive.
He then moved to the front nearside and put his head through the open window.
“A strong smell of alcohol was noted and Welsh began shouting and swearing at the driver.
“He grabbed some plastic bottles from the passenger seat and threw them at [the man], and spat at him but didn’t make contact.
“Welsh then lunged at him and there was an exchange of words before relatives of the accused appeared on the scene and took him away.
“Later, after being arrested, Welsh spat on a civilian worker’s arm at Motherwell police station.”
Sheriff Liam Murphy told Welsh spitting at people during a pandemic was “deplorable”.
He added: “Given the nature of these offences and your record, there is no alternative to a custodial sentence.”
Welsh was jailed for 12 months, but this was backdated to July as he had been in custody since his arrest, meaning he was likely to be released immediately.
I have seen changes in my life. I as unable to make decisions for yself, before.
“Now I make my own ecisions. I’m happy that I can do hings by myself now.”
These are Priscilla’s words oday. But it’s been a long ourney to get here.
Orphaned at a young age, riscilla* lived with her randmother. She was unable to ttend school as her randmother couldn’t afford it nd needed Priscilla’s help with hores.
Then, out of the blue, Priscilla was told that her grandmother had found work for her, had arranged a passport, and she was to be taken from her home country in West Africa to the UK.
Instead of enjoying a happy new life in Britain, she was trapped in a family’s private home, abused, and used as their slave. She lived in horrendous conditions for years until she finally managed to escape.
Not knowing where to go, she was forced to live on the streets – a lonely, hard and bitterly cold existence.
Because of what she had endured, her mental health deteriorated, she was sectioned and spent time in a psychiatric hospital before being referred to Unseen.
At the Unseen women’s safehouse, Priscilla was supported through the ongoing effects of her trauma.
There, she received trauma counselling and learning how to manage her medication.
She took part in regular relaxation sessions, music therapy, cooking and nutrition classes, all of which gave her mental health a boost.
As she felt more independent, Priscilla eventually moved out of the safehouse into the organisation’s Survivors in the
Community programme – the first time that Priscilla had lived alone for years.
Her caseworker, Daisy, supported her to build her confidence and encouraged her to start volunteering in her community.
Today, Priscilla has a busy life volunteering in a local charity shop, attending weekly English language classes, and seeing her small group of friends.
It has taken a long time for Priscilla to get to this point. Although still recovering, she is now moving on with her life.
* Name changed to protect Priscilla’s identity.
Criminals identify, target and exploit people who may be vulnerable. There’s no such thing as typical trafficking .. help stop it Supt Andrew Thomson