A boozed-up Renfrew man has been warned to be of good behaviour after he demanded entry to an ex-partner’s flat. Out-of-control Ross McBride had been at a family member’s communion when things got out of hand.
McBride, of Moidart Avenue in the town, attended at his ex-partner’s home where he shouted and repeatedly kicked the door. The 37-year-old dad had blood on his face during the drunken episode which resulted in him being refused entry into the flat by his ex.
And when police arrested McBride, he made a racial remark to one of the officers at Greenock police station.
Procurator fiscal depute Karen Yuill told Paisley Sheriff Court that the accused had been in a year-long relationship with his partner before it came to an end in October 2015.
She explained: “On the morning of May 11, last year, the witness and the accused, alongside family members, attended a communion.
“After the ceremony, [she] returned home and the accused attended at [her] father’s property in George Street to continue their celebrations. Around 6pm, [she] was in her sitting room when her attention was drawn to the accused who was shouting from the roadside.
“She observed him clearly under the influence of alcohol and, with what looked like blood on his face, shouting to let him in the property. Due to his demeanour, the accused wasn’t allowed in.
“He grew increasingly aggressive and forcibly kicked at the close door to gain entry. [She] contacted the police and, while on the phone, she observed the accused to walk round the property and go out of sight.
“Moments later, he returned to the common close door and demanded entry. [She] told him to leave. The accused then repeatedly kicked the door while screaming incoherently, damaging the door and breaking the lock.
“Officers attended and arrested the accused. While being processed at Greenock, he stated to PC Kayani, ‘You look like you should be working in a corner shop’.
“He wasn’t formally cautioned and charged due to his intoxication and kept in custody to appear at this court the next day.”
Last year, McBride had previously admitted causing “fear or alarm” on May 11 and yesterday pleaded guilty to making the racial remark before the his trial on this matter was due to start.
His not guilty pleas of allegations of resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer were accepted by the Crown.
Defence agent Stephen Graham told the court McBride knows his behaviour on the day was “unacceptable”.
He added: “He lives alone and works part-time as a chef. He has a schedule of previous convictions he can’t shy away from but there has been a gap in his offending.”
Sheriff Brian Mohan stated: “Your history shows you’ve got a temper or at least you had a temper.
“You probably feel things are quite wrong because it was a communion, drink had been taken, something has happened which resulted on the blood on your face and things have gone wrong.
“The racial comment and this behaviour at the flat shows you won’t take no for an answer. There’s no getting away from your record but the offending seems to have stopped in 2016.
“I’m going to give you a chance to show this is a one-off. Your bail remains in place and I’ll see what your behaviour is like in six months to see if this was a one-off or if you’ve gone back to old ways when things don’t go your way.”
McBride was ordered to be of good behaviour and will return to court for sentencing on June 23. His bail was continued meantime and consideration of a non-harassment order was deferred until the same day.
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