An East Kilbride man has been locked up for four months after admitting a string of charges including assaulting family members.
James Burns, 20, of St Leonards, faced 14 separate cases when he appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court last week.
He admitted charges ranging from assault, shoplifting and threatening or abusive behaviour to ignoring bail curfews and failing to attend court.
Morag McLintock, prosecuting, said he attacked three people at a house in Quebec Drive, Westwood, in November.
She told the court: “The accused had been sleeping, but woke up and became aggressive towards others. He asked them to leave the property.
“This continued and he punched one woman three times to the side of the face, causing swelling and bruising. A man tried to get the accused away from her, but he too was punched as was another man who contacted the police.”
Defence agent Andy Iles described his client as “extremely vulnerable”, telling Sheriff Linda Nicolson: “He comes from a decent background and his family find him very difficult to deal with.
“When sober, he is a decent, kind young man, but when he takes alcohol and illicit substances he is virtually unmanageable.
“He has failed to take opportunities given by the court and has recently been in custody. That is something he found difficult and a place he doesn’t want to be.
“He seems sincere about working again with social workers in the community.”
Passing sentence, Sheriff Nicolson said it was a “tragic” situation.
She told Burns: “You are from a good family background yet find yourself in this position.
“Due to the number of cases and the numerous previous community-based disposals you’ve been given, there is no alternative to custody this time.”
The sheriff also imposed a non-harassment order, banning Burns from contacting Shannon McGuire for 18 months.
