Youth in court after vandalising cousin's home

Dec 29 2012 by Lalita Augustine, Paisley Daily Express

A teenage tearaway vandalised his cousin’s home and smashed her car window afater flying into a drunken rage.

Now Robert Wright will have to wait to learn his fate after admitting both offences at Paisley Sheriff Court.

The court heard Wright was insulted when his cousin asked if someone had taken £20 from her purse after he and several other family members had spent the night at her home in Mitchell Avenue, Renfrew, on December 2.

Wright, 19, became highly agitated and abusive after it was suggested that £20 was missing from his cousin’s purse.

The accused claimed to be personally offended at any suggestion that he might have been responsible, began to argue loudly and punched a glass door panel, causing it to smash.

He shouted: “I’ll smash your house up – do you want me to f*****g hit you?”

He threatened to smash a television set before storming out into the street.

Once outside, he picked up a brick and used it to smash the car’s window.

Police were summoned and soon tracked the accused down and arrested him.

In court, he admitted behaving in a threatening and abusive manner likely to cause fear and alarm to others by uttering threats, shouting, swearing and punching a glass door panel causing it to smash.

He also admitted recklessly damaging the car’s window on the same date.

Defence agent Gordon Nichol said that his client, who had been held on remand since committing the offences, was unemployed and surviving on benefits.

If released, he would be able to go a live with his father at Bank Street in Paisley.

Sheriff Neil Douglas released the accused on bail and called for background reports, making Wright the subject of curfew conditions requiring him to remain at home between the hours of 9pm and 7am each day.

Wright was warned that police officers would call to check that he was complying with the bail conditions laid down for him, and if he was found to be in breach, he would be locked up.

He is to return to court for final disposal on January 18.