Job saves yob who chucked fireworks at police officers

Mark Muirhead has a long record that includes convictions for breach of the peace, assault, theft and housebreaking.

And a sheriff warned him it was only his recently-found employment that had saved him from another stretch behind bars.

Muirhead (22), of Meadowbank Lane, Uddingston, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court where he admitted “culpably and recklessly throwing fireworks at police officers, placing them at risk of serious injury”.

It happened in Knockburnie Road, Bothwell, on November 5 last year. Muirhead also admitted shouting abuse.

Defence agent Jim O’Dowd said restaurant worker Muirhead had problems with drugs in the past, but told the court: “He seems to have got his act together. It’s a big thing for him to be in full time employment.”

Sheriff Vincent Smith put Muirhead under supervision for 13 months and ordered him to do 200 hours of unpaid work. The sheriff told him: “Only the fact that you are in employment persaudes me not to impose custody.”