A Paisley man jumped out of his car to threaten a passer-by with an umbrella.
Paul McLaughlin, 53, admitted brandishing the umbrella during an incident in August 2020 in the town’s Underwood Road.
He aimed it at Craig Baird, 26, who also ended up getting in trouble with the police by hassling two other men – David Hunt and Alan Durning – and engaging in a stand-up fight.
Hunt, 30, and 26-year-old Durning also appeared in the dock and pleaded not guilty to engaging in a fight.
Their pleas were accepted by the Crown with both being free to leave.
Procurator fiscal depute Michael Cunningham told Paisley Sheriff Court: “Around 7.40pm on August 22, 2020, McLaughlin entered Underwood Road in his car and stopped at the Post Office.
“Also present was Baird, who noted McLaughlin to exit the vehicle and take out a large umbrella and then brandish it in the direction of Baird and prepare himself for a fight.
“McLaughlin then put the umbrella back in the boot of his car and attempted to drive away.
“Also present were David Hunt and Alan Durning, who have had their not guilty pleas accepted.
“Baird then started acting aggressive towards Hunt and Durning and started to physically assault them.
“A member of the public witnessed this and contacted police.
“On August 27, 2020, CCTV was viewed and McLaughlin was traced the same day where he was arrested, cautioned and charged and replied he pulled out the umbrella to scare them off.
“Baird wasn’t traced that day and a report was submitted to the procurator fiscal’s office.”
Tony Bolland, defence agent for McLaughlin, who appeared from custody, told the court his client “regrets his conduct” and that he is due to be released from prison after serving a sentence in relation to a drugs offence.
Mr Bolland added: “At the time he didn’t really know Mr Hunt and he made a foolish and stupid mistake to stop the vehicle.
“He panicked and he didn’t know what to do, so he hoped to ward off the individuals.
“In the CCTV footage, you can see there is quite some distance between them and Mr McLaughlin and then he puts the umbrella back in his boot.”
Baird’s defence agent Harvie Diamond raised an issue with Mr Cunnigham’s narration.
Mr Diamond explained: “The fiscal said Baird assaulted two other people, but that’s not what he’s been charged with.
“He’s charged with a Section 38, and he’s admitted that and that was to engaging in a stand-up fight.
“There’s a history here between Baird and Hunt and things boiled over on this date.
“He had been drinking and he is disappointed in himself.”
Sheriff Smith fined McLaughlin, of Seedhill Road in Paisley, £360 and ordered this to be paid at the rate of £40 per month.
Baird, of Broomlands Street in the town, was ordered to carry out 54 hours of unpaid work in the community.
Sheriff Smith ordered this to be carried out within three months.
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