Second chance for court slur teen

Aug 28 2009 by Cheryl McEvoy, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A TEENAGE girl was given a second chance after she swore at a sheriff.

It was a very different Clare McWhirter who appeared before Ayr Sheriff Court – just months after the drunk and scowling 16-year-old shouted abuse at Sheriff John Montgomery.

Then McWhirter, of Troweir Road, Girvan, was up for committing a breach of the peace and shouting and swearing at her parents.

Sheriff Montgomery told her: “You don’t listen to your elders and wisers. You need to be more respectful and in particular to your parents.”

At that point McWhirter began folding her arms, rolling her eyes and sneering.

Sheriff Montgomery ordered the Reliance officers to take her down to the cells until later that afternoon.

But as she was led downstairs, McWhirter shouted and swore at the sheriff. He then called for her to be brought back up and asked McWhirter: “What did you just say?”

She replied: “Shut up and idiot.”

Sheriff Montgomery asked: “Who were you referring to?”

McWhirter snarled: “You.”

Sheriff Montgomery ordered for her to be taken back down, and that night remanded her in custody at Cornton Vale prison.

The following day, solicitor Gordon Robson said McWhirter saw the error of her ways.

Sheriff Montgomerie deferred sentence for good behaviour.

When McWhirter appeared before him again last week with a clean sheet, this time the sheriff told her: “When you originally pleaded guilty to this charge you had a terrible attitude problem, but I am pleased to see that you have grown up a wee bit. I am particularly pleased that you have not offended again, so you will be admonished.”