Armadale man beaten over loud music

Oct 9 2008 by Our Correspondent, West Lothian Courier

A THUG walked into his neighbour’s house and repeatedly punched a man on the head in a dispute about loud music.

Callum Russell got so angry about the noise coming from his neighbour’s flat in Mayfield Drive, Armadale, that he barged his way in and assaulted the man.

The 31 year old punched the victim, who was a visitor to the flat, twice on the head before being forced out.

Last week at Linlithgow Sheriff Court, Russell, of 15 Mayfield Drive, Armadale, pled guilty to the offence, which took place shortly before 12am on March 27 this year.

His solicitor, Stuart Peebles, told the court his client had 26 previous convictions.

Mr Peebles continued: “His rate of offending has slowed considerably. This was a one-off incident and he has no outstanding offences.

“It was a neighbourhood dispute about loud music which took place six months ago. There have been no further incidents.

“The situation seems to have resolved itself over this time.

“He is worried about custody because of his previous record.

“He feels that if he is given community service as a direct alternative to custodial sentence then it will give him some purpose to his life.”

Sentencing Russell to 200 hours of community service Sheriff James Gilmour said: “If you fail to undertake the hours then you will be brought back and sentenced to what I think will inevitably be a custodial sentence.”