Thug spared prison after attack on butcher’s shop

Dec 11 2009 Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A THUG kicked in a butcher’s window after a furious row with his girlfriend.

Christopher Gossink caused £1400 of damage when he smashed the glass at Pickens shop in Ayr’s Main Street.

At Ayr Sheriff Court this week, the jobless yob admitted kicking in the window but said he couldn’t pay for the damage.

Depute fiscal Victoria Hart told Sheriff Colin Miller that Gossink was caught on CCTV on Ayr’s Main Street on October 24 with a female.

It was clear the couple were arguing and the accused was seen to kick the nine foot window several times until it smashed.

He also set in about the other single paned reinforced window but wasn’t successful in breaking it.

When he was arrested by police, Gossink told officers: “I was angry.”

Defence lawyer Peter Lockhart told the court that Gossink had been drinking with his girlfriend.

Mr Lockhart added: “He was frustrated and accepts that he broke the window.

“He is in receipt of benefits and realistically he could not pay for the damage.”

Sentencing the 21-year-old Cardonald man, Sheriff Miller said: “You caused a substantial amount of damage and you are fortunate not to be sent to prison today.

“Instead you will do 80 hours of community service and probation to concentrate on your anger management.”