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‘You’re getting done’: Mum and son subjected to threats by drunk stranger

Christopher Ferguson admitted last month to directing abuse at the wrong people while standing in the street.

The 32-year-old appeared from custody at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on October 15 for sentencing.


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Fiscal depute Euan Nicholson said a 17-year-old was home in Waulking Mill Road around 8.20pm when he heard Ferguson shouting from the street.

He was hurling threats into the property such as, “You’re getting done” and “I’m going through your door”.

The teenager phoned his mother who returned home, finding the man gone from the street.

But around 9pm he returned and continued shouting, swearing and making threats such as: “I’m going to kill you.”

The mum went into the street and confronted the man but he refused to stop, and directed his abuse at her.

He was shouting at her to hit him and “you’re getting done”.

The son indoors called 999 and police arrived.

They put Ferguson under arrest but he tensed his body and tried to prevent handcuffs from being put on him.

He used his arms and legs to try to push them off but was eventually arrested.

When he appeared from custody, he pleaded guilty to threatening or abusive behaviour, and to resisting arrest. He was on bail from just 10 days earlier.

At sentencing on October 15, his defence solicitor said her client was intoxicated with alcohol. His “difficulty” was not with the mum and son.

“He accepts full responsibility,” she said. “He has been on remand since September 23. It has given him time to reflect and detox from alcohol, which he recognises has been an issue for a number of years.

“He would require close monitoring with addiction services.

“There are alternatives to custody, although these matters are serious.”

Sheriff Seith Ireland condemned the “deplorable behaviour”, but said he was “just persuaded” not to jail him.

He imposed a community payback order with 18 months of supervision by social workers. He must access addiction services as directed.

Bailed to a relatives home in Clydebank, there will also be a curfew for 90 days, from 7pm to 7am each day to “give the public some protection and a punishment for you”.

This is a direct alternative to custody.



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