A former councillor has walked free from court amid claims he assaulted his aunt after she made him a mince pie for dinner.
Austin Sheridan, 32, denied attacking Margaret Sheridan, 61, at their flat in Glasgow’s Govanhill on August 10 2024. Court papers stated Sheridan attempted to strike his aunt with a brick. It was further alleged that the ex-SNP Glasgow City councillor behaved in a threatening or abusive manner.
The charge said Sheridan threw household kitchen items at a number of walls causing damage to them as well as a kitchen window. Another charge stated Sheridan shouted, swore, acted in an aggressive manner and threw household items.
Margaret told Glasgow Sheriff Court in her evidence that she recalled having an argument with Sheridan. However, the retiree claimed that she was not able to remember a lot of what happened as she was on medication at the time.
Margaret’s police statement was put to her by prosecutor Kirsty McKenzie. It said that Sheridan had arrived home from a rally in Glasgow city centre that afternoon and was in a “bad mood.”
She allegedly stated: “He wasn’t happy I made him a minced round potatoes and peas because he wanted chips.
“I explained that I used the last of it on mash [potatoes] and he didn’t speak to me.”
Margaret allegedly claimed that Sheridan later put his knife and fork down “angrily” on the plate. She supposedly stated that Sheridan initially left the kitchen for a cigarette before he returned and said “That was nice.” Margaret allegedly added that Sheridan then stood and stared at her.
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She is stated to have said: “He went to his bedroom and started smashing it up. He was shouting and screaming, saying that he hated me.”
Margaret is claimed to have told officers that she then went to her neighbour’s property. She is said to have claimed that Sheridan later turned up outside her own kitchen window, smashed its lock and climbed in through it. Margaret allegedly “ran” out of her flat.
She is claimed to have said: “He threw a brick at me but it hit the close door. He then started to smash up the kitchen and he then left the flat and has not come back since.”
When discussing if Margaret had told the truth to the police at the time she said: “Maybe I lied. I don’t remember as I was on a high dosage.”
The fiscal depute then stated to Sheriff Collette Gallagher that she was no longer seeking a conviction against Sheridan. The sheriff said to him: “If there is truth to these matters, I hope you get the support and help you need. “I say that to you as a person rather than as a judge.”
Sheridan replied: “Thank you, I appreciate that” before he left the dock.
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