A serial offender locked up in a COVID-hit prison has been given a second chance by a sheriff.
Thomas Park, 39, faced sentence on a string of charges – including shoplifting and threatening or abusive behaviour – on Monday.
But the East Kilbride man wasn’t brought to Hamilton Sheriff Court because of a virus outbreak at HMP Addiewell where he was being held.
The court heard that the West Lothian prison is currently in lockdown and Sheriff Scott Pattison agreed to deal with the case in Park’s absence.
The accused also admitted breaching bail conditions repeatedly.
Defence agent Andy Thomson said Park has a drink problem but has been doing well on a community payback order imposed for previous offences.
Sheriff Pattison allowed the order to continue and imposed a four-month electronic tagging order in relation to the most recent charges.
That means that Park is confined to his home between 7pm and 7am each day.
