Bellshill man jailed after pair targeted by car in Uddingston workplace

Arran Kyle had been accused of nearly knocking down a woman and a child at traffic lights in Bellshill.

After an online slanging match with the woman and her partner - William Cook - Kyle went to Mr Cook’s workplace armed with knives.

Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that a fight started before Kyle broke free, went back to his vehicle and drove at Mr Cook, trying unsuccessfully to strike him. He then drove repeatedly at Graham Simpson, who had been filming the incident, and the car struck him on the body.

Vish Kathuria, prosecuting, said Mr Simpson was not injured, but Mr Cook suffered a dislocated shoulder when he fell during the struggle.The car was driven at him “at speed” and he had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit.

Footage of the incident was shown in court.

Kyle, 24, of Turquoise Terrace, Bellshill, admitted assaulting the men at M&J Auto Salvage in Aitkenhead Road, Uddingston, on November 27 last year.

He had earlier been involved in an altercation with Mr Cook’s partner who accused him of driving too fast in Bellshill town centre. She took a photo of his car and posted it on Facebook.

An online argument followed, with Kyle insisting he had been driving responsibly and she should not have been crossing the road when the traffic lights were at green. Mr Cook posted that he would “love to meet this so-called hard man in person”.

Kyle then turned up at Mr Cook’s workplace, brandishing knives.Footage appeared to show him trying to strike Mr Cook with a blade.

Defence agent Tracy Paterson described her client as “a genuine first offender”.

Stating her client was now avoiding social media, she said: “It appears to be very much a one-off incident. There were elements that could be seen as provocation, but he should not have acted in this way. “His partner is in court to support him and I would submit he is suitable for a community-based sentence.”

However, Sheriff David Bicket told Kyle: “Having watched the footage of this, and despite you being a first offender, I consider these charges to be so serious that they can be dealt with only by custody.”

The sheriff said he would have imposed an 18-month stretch but reduced it to 12 months because of the guilty pleas.