Phone rammy woman walks free

A young woman was shown mercy by a sheriff after she was prosecuted for shouting at her boyfriend for not giving her phone back.

Jessica McArthur, 29, was handed an absolute discharge - meaning the offence is not on her record - after she pleaded guilty to shouting at and standing in front of Craig McGuire.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard McArthur had been reported to police by her partner after they had just broken up at the property in Ferguslie Park on March 19.

Procurator fiscal depute Michael Cunningham said: “An argument ensued between both parties at their address.

“McGuire stated to the accused that the relationship was over.

“He was emptying belongings from the address and on exiting the bedroom McGuire picked up a mobile phone belonging to the accused.

“The accused began shouting at the witness that she wanted her phone back.

“The witness then stood in front of the accused.

“He contacted police and in the background of the call, the voice of the accused can be heard shouting.”

Cops arrived at the house and lifted McArthur and took her into custody at Helen Street, Govan.

She told police: “I was shouting at him.”

She pleaded guilty to a charge of behaving in a threatening h and abusive m manner by shouting at Mr M McGuire and preventing him fr from leaving.

Defence agent Jim Clark voiced concern for his client, telling e the court: “There are unique circumstances in te terms of every prosecution.

“However, I would ask the c court to consider granting an a absolute discharge on that b basis.”

Sheriff Colin Pettigrew a agreed with the defence so solicitor.

He said: “I ask where the p public interest is in all this.

“She was shouting at him to g give her phone back.”

He told Ms McArthur: “I am not condoning your b behaviour in dealing with it.

“Given the circumstances, y you will be granted an absolute discharge.”