A well-known kayak instructor and community activist threatened to stab a pubgoer in a smoking row.
Paul Richardson went berserk after he caught a drinker from the neighbouring Old Swan Inn smoking in the doorway of his close.
A sheriff told him at court yesterday that his reaction to the incident was “wholly disproportionate”.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard how a drinker from the Smithhills Street boozer went outside for a smoke on September 28, 2020 before encountering Richardson.
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The court heard he appeared from the close and took issue with the man.
Procurator fiscal depute Kirsten Brierley said: “At around 4.48pm, the witness was present outside the Old Swan pub.
“He was having a cigarette at this time when the accused exited the close door that leads to his home address and he began to shout and swear at the witness due to the witness smoking.”
He told the man: “Don’t smoke in my f***ing doorway, my mum is not well.”
The 45-year-old went on to ask the man if he was drinking in the pub.
When the man confirmed he was, Richardson told him he would go and “see the landlord”.
The court was told he went into the pub and began to shout: “One of your punters is out there smoking in my close and I’ve told you about that.”
Staff told Police Richardson was “purple with rage” during the incident.
The prosecution added: “The accused exited the bar, at which point he stated he was going to take a photograph of the smoking and send it to the council. The witness told the accused to do so.”
But the fracas didn’t end there and kayak instructor Richardson told the man: “I’ll come back and do you.
“I’ll stab you”.
The court heard Richardson was also making stabbing motions towards the body of the victim as he made the threats
Richardson then walked off towards a nearby shopping centre while police were called in, the court was told.
A defence agent for the accused said his client “lost his temper” due to the fact there has “been some ongoing issues” between the clientele of the pub and neighbouring residents.
The defence claimed there had been a host of issues, including complaints over “music and noise”, parking and the behaviour of customers from the boozer, whom he claimed had been smoking and urinating in closes around the venue.
Richardson’s agent also told how “disagreements and fights” were prone to unfolding as a result of customers’ behaviour.
The defence told how Richardson had volunteered for the RNLI on Loch Lomond last summer and had been involved in rescues, including saving a child from drowning.
He also said his client had been commended by Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron after he used his skills on water to help clear rubbish from the White Cart by kayak.
Richardson also helps clean debris from the River Clyde within the Glasgow City boundaries and told the Express last November how he was banned by authorities from cleaning up the city’s waterway during the COP26 climate summit.
He also admitted driving without insurance on April 10, 2021 in Paisley after being stopped by Police.
Sheriff Bruce Erroch QC, fined Richardson £180 for the original incident and levied a £10 victim surcharge.
He also fined him £225 for driving without insurance and imposed a further £20 victim surcharge, as well as imposing five penalty points on his licence.
Sentencing, the Sheriff branded Richardson’s behaviour “wholly disproportionate” and added: “A dim view has to be taken.”
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