A serial offender caught with an axe outside his flat has earned praise from a sheriff after “making great strides” to change his troubled lifestyle.
Thomas Cooper, 39, admitted having a blade without reasonable excuse in Merryton Tower, Motherwell, on February 4. He also admitted head-butting a police officer.
Police called over weapons claim
Calum Frame, prosecuting, said the accused phoned the police at 10pm to say there were “people with weapons” at the tower block. Officers went to the area and found Cooper in nearby Shields Road.
Mr Frame stated: “He was acting erratically, giving different versions of events.”
“The officers remained concerned about the claim of persons with weapons. They found an axe outside the front door of the tower and after looking at CCTV footage they arrested Cooper. He didn’t take kindly to this and proceeded to head-butt one of the officers, though no injury was caused.”
Defence cites substance abuse history
Defence lawyer Scott Jones said Cooper has a history of substance abuse and drugs were to blame for his behaviour on this occasion. But he is currently subject to a court order imposed in another case and is “making great strides”.
Mr Jones added: “This was a relapse. He has made remarkable progress.”
Sheriff imposes community payback order
Sheriff Kevin McCallum KC expressed concern at Cooper’s “formidable” criminal record and the fact he’d committed the latest offences while on early release from prison.
The sheriff said: “You have eight convictions for assault and this is your fourth for assaulting a police officer, but there appears to be some progress.”
“I’m persuaded - narrowly - to impose a community payback order.”
Cooper will be under supervision for 12 months and must attend addiction services. He’ll do 225 hours of unpaid work and be tagged for six months.
