A drunk who stole booze and caused havoc in a Paisley shop just 24 hours after being arrested has been jailed for 12 months.
William Edwards trashed a display and behaved threateningly towards staff at Tesco filling station in Paisley’s Renfrew Road on December 14 last year – 24 hours after being lifted by cops for a ‘carbon copy’ incident in Glasgow’s Crookston Road.
The 30-year-old refused to leave, lifted cans of cider off the shelf and began drinking before refusing to pay at both premises in a bid to ‘get the jail’.
Yesterday at Paisley Sheriff Court, Edwards was jailed for 12 months – however due to the time he has spent in remand, will be free in a few weeks.
Court heard Edwards entered a newsagent around 8pm and picked up a can of cider before threatening to wreck the shop.
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Procurator fiscal depute David McDonald previously told the court: “The female member of staff observed him standing on the shop floor drinking from a can of cider. She approached him and asked him if he was going to pay for the items in his possession.
“He then said ‘No. Are you going to make me?’
“His behaviour deteriorated, he refused to leave, began shouting and swearing and walking around the store. He took possession of a glass bottle of soft drink and threatened to wreck the shop at this point.
“The staff member continually asked him to leave and he continued to refuse.
“She activated the silent alarm and explained to the control room and they contacted the police.”
Police arrived and while there, Edwards entered the shop again and was arrested.
The next day, also around 8pm, Edwards entered the Tesco filling station after being released from custody.
Mr McDonald added: “He began to knock items off the display on to the floor, damaging several items.
“A member of staff approached him to ask if she could help him. He then took a short step towards her and said ‘What are you going to do about it?’
“This alarmed the member of staff who contacted the police.”
Edwards admitted the charges against him, saying it was an attempt to get back into custody as he was struggling with drink and drugs.
Sheriff Brian Mohan slammed Edwards for behaving threateningly towards staff who were “just trying to do their job”.
He added: “What you did just a few weeks before Christmas last year by going into different supermarkets and behaving abominably towards staff was awful and the stealing of the drink was just the start of it.
“You are only 30, it is hoped you will make sense of things and get on the straight and narrow.”
Sheriff Mohan jailed Edwards for 12 months, backdating this to December 15. In addition, he was made subject to a supervised release order for six months.
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