Cheek broken after pals row over cheese

A man had his cheek broken after a row in a 'drinking den' over cheese stolen from a fridge, a court heard.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Dec 2016, 12:34 BST
Updated 17th Dec 2016, 10:05 BST
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard Andrew Murray lashed out after pals had a row during a drinking session over cheese stolen from a fridge.Hamilton Sheriff Court heard Andrew Murray lashed out after pals had a row during a drinking session over cheese stolen from a fridge.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard Andrew Murray lashed out after pals had a row during a drinking session over cheese stolen from a fridge.

Andrew Murray, who had been held in custody in connection with the case, was freed in time for Christmas.

Murray (42), of Allan Tower, Motherwell, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court. He admitted assaulting John Hutchison to his severe injury at a house in Burn Crescent, New Stevenston, on March 15.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

An allegation that he slashed the victim repeatedly with a knife was dropped.

Murray also admitted breaking bail conditions by returning to the house three times between March and August, breaking a night curfew on one occasion.

Diarmid Bruce, defending, told the court: “My client has a long term alcohol problem and this happened in a house where people with similar difficulties meet. It’s described as a drinking den.

“On this occasion there appears to have been a disagreement over someone stealing cheese from a fridge.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Bruce said Murray had spent three and a half months in custody because he defied a bail order to keep away from the house.

He urged Sheriff Douglas Brown to impose unpaid community work “so my client has something to occupy his time”.

The sheriff put Murray under supervision for one year, ordered him to do 180 hours of work and banned him from leaving home at night for four months through an electronic tagging order.