Road rage thug is arrested at airport

His US holiday was in ruins after failling to obey court order

A road rage thug was arrested attempting to board a plane to America, a court was told.

William Gordon was lifted by the cops on a warrant as he expected to fly to the United States last Friday.

The 27- year- old of Turnhill Gardens, Freeland, Erskine, was convicted of a violent attack on motorist David Marshall after the pair clashed over an undertaking move on an M8 slip road.

However, Paisley Sheriff Court heard yesterday that the electrician, who was handed 240 hours unpaid work last August after pleading guilty to the assault, had his head in the clouds over the punishment.

Defence agent Chris McKenna told how Gordon, who appeared from custody, had failed to complete the court order by doing the work, when he had his dream holiday ruined.

He said: “The sentence was imposed as an alternative to custody.

“He was arrested at Edinburgh Airport last Friday about to board a plane to America. This was at considerable expense borne by him.”

Sheriff Tom McCartney replied: “That is what happens when you do not comply with a court order.”

His lawyer appealed to the sheriff not to lock up his client and give him another chance to comply with the order.

Mr McKenna added: “He was in full- time employment and prioritised his paid work over his unpaid work and realises this was wrong.

“He has not offended since the incident. His partner is now pregnant and I would ask he be allowed to remain at liberty to complete the unpaid work, and support his family.”

The road rage incident involved Gordon tailgating Mr Marshall’s Ford Fiesta along Glasgow Road, in Renfrew, until they stopped at a red light and the accused climbed out of his van and screamed “who do you think you are?” then kicked Mr Marshall as he sat behind the wheel.

However, motorist Mr Marshall had gestured at the accused moments earlier after “undertaking” his Transit van.

This enraged Gordon who followed the car until they both came to a halt at Hillington.

He pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner likely to cause fear and alarm and assaulting Mr Marshall by repeatedly kicking him on the body.

Sheriff McCartney took a dim view of the electrician’s behaviour.

He said: “I don’t know where one gets the idea having agreed to a do a court order as alternative to prison that one can somehow just not comply with it?

“Then come back to court and I will say comply with it next time.”

He ordered Gordon to be assessed for a restriction of liberty order, meaning he may be fitted with an electronic tag and handed a home detention curfew.

Gordon, who was released on bail, will discover his fate when he returns to court next month.