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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Michael McQuaid

Motherwell tanning salon boss threatened to 'wipe out' friend and his family over £12k debt

A man threatened to 'wipe out' a friend and his family over a £12,000 debt.

John Lucas warned the victim that he would send "heavy-duty" people to his home if the money wasn't paid back immediately.

When the 34-year-old tanning salon director was eventually arrested, police officers had to use Pava spray to restrain him.

Lucas, of Motherwell, admitted threatening the victim on December 28, 2020, and threatening or abusive behaviour towards police officers the next day, reports the Daily Record.

Read more: CCTV images released of four men after Glasgow city centre serious assault

Prosecutor Lauren Cole told a court: “He phoned the victim at his home in Airdrie to discuss £12,000 that he owed.

“During the call Lucas became irate, demanding payment and threatening him and his family with violence.

“He said ‘I’ll f***ing wipe out the lot of you. I’ve got heavy-duty people coming to see you and your family if you don’t get this f***ing squared up right now’.

“Due to the nature of the calls, [the victim] contacted the police.”

When officers went to arrest Lucas, his partner Kerrie Black, 33, answered the door. Mrs Cole told Airdrie Sheriff Court: “She shouted inside to Lucas, ‘They’re going to f***ing jail you’ and tried to close the door.

“Lucas appeared and shouted, ‘Where’s your f***ing warrant?’

“He began to resist arrest violently and as a result Pava spray was discharged. Lucas shouted, ‘F***ing spray me, ya bam. I’ll rip your f***ing face out.’

“Pava was sprayed a further twice and the officers were then able to handcuff him.”

Sheriff David Young deferred a sentence for a report and an electronic tagging assessment.

Lucas remains on bail.

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