Man fined after row with friend

Jul 3 2008 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

A HAMILTON man who picked up a piece of wood to defend himself during an argument with a friend over a debt was last week fined £80.

James Belk (30), of 12 Melrose Street, last week admitted at Hamilton Sheriff Court a charge of possessing the weapon in a public place.

Belk’s solicitor Charles Ferguson said his client had lifted the piece of wood to try to “ward off” friend, and former co-accused, Bryan Ross.

Ross’s not guilty plea to a charge of possessing a golf club outside 76 Ann Street on May 16 last year had been accepted by the Crown.

The fiscal-depute told the court that police were called to Ann Street following reports of a disturbance.

When officers arrived there they saw Belk, carrying a piece of wood. There was another man there too.

The officers thought the accused appeared aggressive and was preparing for a fight.

However, when the police approached Belk he dropped the piece of wood.

The weapon was produced in court and described as a piece of ‘two-by-four.’

When cautioned and charged, Belk told officers that Brian Ross, his former co-accused, had come at him so he picked up the wood.

Mr Ferguson told Sheriff Margaret Neilson that Belk and Ross had been friends since they were two.

The solicitor advocate claimed that the matter had been a “complete misunderstanding.”

He explained that Belk had owed his friend £10 and Ross had confronted him.

Mr Ferguson said his client accepted that he had over-reacted and picked up the wood in an attempt to ward off Ross.

He stressed that the two men still considered themselves to be the best of friends.

Sheriff Neilson fined Belk £80 payable at a rate of £5 per week.