A SHERIFF has taken pity on a man who caused a rammy after downing booze as he mourned the loss of his unborn child.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard how Ryan McLean and his girlfriend were left distraught after she suffered a miscarriage.

The pair sat up all night drinking at her flat in Maple Drive, Johnstone, on December 8 last year but began arguing so loudly neighbours phoned the police.

The details emerged when 22-year-old McLean, of Queen’s Road, Elderslie, appeared in the dock to be sentenced over the incident.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening manner by shouting, threatening to force entry to the flat, raining kicks and blows on the door and acting aggressively.

It was stated the offence was aggravated by involving abuse of his partner.
Procurator fiscal depute Saud Ul-Hassan told the court: “The witness and the accused, at the time, were partners and had been together for approximately six weeks.

“She refused to provide a statement or engage with police at the time of the offence.

“At around 12.30am, she was with the accused at the time and both were consuming alcohol.

“At around 7.30am, an argument ensued between them and the witness asked the accused to leave.

The Gazette:

The offence took place in Maple Drive 

“The accused was in the driveway, neighbours were aware of shouting and banging coming from the front of the property.

“They looked out and saw the accused shouting and banging on the door of the locus. 

“They observed the accused attempt to lift a concrete slab and attempt to use it to force entry but, because of the size, the accused was unable to lift the slab.

“The accused approached the front door and continued to shout and kick at the door.”

When police arrived at the scene, McLean was arrested.

Defence solicitor Rhona Lynch told the court McLean had tried to “blot out” his emotions by over-indulging in alcohol.

She added: “He was angry at being put out of the house at that time of the morning.”

Sheriff Lindsey Kooner spared McLean jail and, instead, placed him on a Community Payback Order, which will see him supervised by social workers for one year as well as carrying out 100 hours of unpaid work within five months.