Jail warning to drunken menace

A Man described as a “classic Jekyll and Hyde” character has been warned to behave or face being locked up.

Steven Cartwright, 22, was “a perfect gentleman” when sober, but turned into a troublesome monster when drunk, Paisley Sheriff Court was told.

He previously had sentence deferred after admitting causing a disturbance at his home in February this year.

Sheriff Neil Douglas had ordered him to be of good behaviour and to seek professional assistance to address his binge drinking sprees.

When Cartwright returned to court for disposal it was revealed he had offended again, committing an identical offence on October 1.

He pleaded guilty to causing a breach of the peace by conducting himself in a disorderly manner and shouting and swearing.

Defence agent Terry Gallanagh said that his client had self-referred himself for counselling on his alcohol consumption since last appearing in court and, following the last incident, was intending to consult Alcoholics Anonymous.

The lawyer said it was a classic Jekyll and Hyde scenario.

“When he is sober, he is a perfect gentleman,” he said.

“When he is intoxicated, it is a different story and I once even had to eject him from my office, due to the state he was in.”

Depute fiscal Margaret Porter said that on the latest occasion, there had been reports of a disturbance and vandalism.

Sheriff Neil Douglas said that if the accused could not get his drinking under control, he might have to consider putting an Anti Social behaviour Order in place or resorting to the ultimate sanction – imprisonment.

Deferring sentence and giving him a final warning, until December 7, the Sheriff hit out: “In the public interest, if you continue with this conduct, there is nowhere else that I can send you.

“You are on your way to jail if you don't change your behaviour.”

Paisley Daily Express