Repeat offender jailed for spitting

Published 18 Aug 2010 09:30

A REPEAT offender who spat on a woman’s face was sentenced to five months behind bars.

Robert Young (32) was at the Shillinghill bus stance in Alloa town centre with his older brother, Kenneth Young, when he spotted the woman get off the bus.

The pair followed her and when she turned around Young spat in her face.

On Thursday, Robert Young, of Garvally Crescent appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court and admitted assaulting the woman by spitting on her and committing a breach of the peace on 29 June.

His brother and co-accused Kenneth Young (33), of Whins Road, pled guilty to breach of the peace.

Fiscal depute Keri Marshall explained that a few hours after the spitting incident the pair were still at the bus stance where they confronted a man.

Ms Marshall said, “The complainer was saying goodbye to his friend when Kenneth Young said 'What are you staring at?’.

“The complainer replied 'scum’.

“Kenneth Young started shouting abuse at the complainer.”

She added that the man went into a nearby shop and when he left both Robert and Kenneth Young shouted threats at him.

Defending Robert Young, George Higgins said his client has a “severe drink problem”.

He added, “It doesn’t excuse what he did but offers an explanation for his actions.”

Virgil Crawford, defence agent for Kenneth Young, said the brothers were having an argument when the complainer tried to intervene and Young “over-reacted”.

Sentencing Robert Young, Sheriff David Mackie told him he had failed to take advantage of the “many opportunities” given to him to change his offending ways.

He added, “This was an unprovoked assault on a single vulnerable female.

“No woman on her own should be exposed to that sort of intimidation and fear.”

Kenneth Young was admonished.

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