A young thug who spat at a female supermarket worker then threatened to stab police officers and their families has avoided a jail term.
Out-of-control Malachi Dixon got into an argument with staff at Sainsbury’s in Bishopton’s Dalgety Drive on July 23 last year. When tempers flared, the 18-year-old spat at the female staff member before fleeing the scene.
When cops caught up with Dixon at Bishopton railway station, he then turned abusive towards them, making vile threats that he would stab them and their families.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard: “Around 4.30pm on July 23, the accused entered Sainsbury’s when an incident occurred between staff and the accused with allegations being made.
“When things became heated, this caused the accused to spit at a 36-year-old retail worker who was in the course of her employment at the time. The accused, thereafter, fled the supermarket.
“Staff called police and when they attended, they were advised the accused had left.
“Officers attended at Bishopton train station where they traced the accused who became immediately hostile shouting and swearing at officers. He stated he would stab them and their families and then tried to make off again.
“Officers apprehended Dixon and conveyed him back to his home address at the Good Shepherd Centre in
Bishopton. The officers then returned to Sainsbury’s to view the CCTV where they observed the incident and then returned to Dixon’s home where he was cautioned and charged for the offence.”
Dixon also faced a charge which alleged he stole a bottle of alcohol on the same day from Sainsbury’s. A separate charge alleged he assaulted another female staff member by shouting, swearing, spitting and seizing the woman by the hair.
His not guilty pleas to these charges were accepted by the Crown.
Defence agent Paul Lynch told the court the criminal justice social work report prepared on Dixon’s behalf made for “tragic” reading.
He added: “He now resides in England and is hopeful of commencing a college course in mechanics. It’s my submission a community payback order can be imposed here.”
Sheriff Cooke slammed Dixon and stated: “These are serious offences. You have a record and, but for what’s said in the report and your age, a custodial sentence may have been imposed.
“I’m not going to impose a custodial sentence as there is an alternative with a community payback order.”
Dixon was placed under supervision of Leeds social work department in West Yorkshire for 12 months.
Sheriff Cooke warned: “If you are to breach this order, it will come back to court and because this is an alternative to custody, you can expect to go to custody.”
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