Motherwell twins sent to YOI after Asda disturbance

Jan 21 2010 Hamilton Advertiser

TWIN yobs have been locked up for their part in a disturbance at a Motherwell supermarket that saw the store’s panic alarm being set off.

Brothers Aaron and John McCafferty, who are 17, were involved in the incident at Asda in Watson Street on the night of Sunday, November 15.

Stunned shoppers looked on as John McCafferty chased an unknown male through the store, gesturing and challenging the youth to a fight.

John McCafferty admitted the charge, as well as brandishing a piece of wood as an offensive weapon in the store’s car park and blocking the exit to the store to prevent his would-be victim from leaving.

The court was told that customers were fearful as John McCafferty blocked the exit as they attempted to leave after the panic alarm had been sounded due to the incident.

The accused was also alleged to have attacked his intended victim with the piece of wood by striking him with it on the head.

However, his not guilty plea to that charge was accepted by the Crown.

His brother and co-accused Aaron McCafferty pleaded guilty to breaking a double-glazed window unit at the store by throwing a brick during the incident.

The court was told that the McCafferty twins - both of whom live in Magna Street, Motherwell - visited the store on a revenge mission after a female friend had telephoned them, claiming that a drink had been thrown at her by a youth nearby.

Defending John McCafferty, Paolo Martone said that his client intended, in the heat of the moment, to go and sort things out at once.

But, he explained, his subsequent actions were the result of a “red mist” that had descended.

He claimed that his client had found the piece of wood in the street and picked it up.

Mr Martone said that John McCafferty appreciated the seriousness of the matter and that he intends to deal with his behaviour, under the “watchful eye” of his father.

He added: “It may be just to consider a non-custodial sentence that would benefit him.

“Probation could give him the benefit of the current conditions.”

Defending Aaron McCafferty, Elspeth Forrest explained that her client attended the scene with a crowd and became involved in the incident, eventually throwing a brick at the window, causing it to break.

She claimed that he regretted his actions, in relation to the time of evening and the alarm caused to shoppers.

Her client, said Mrs Forrest, was from a stable home and is currently attending college.

Aaron McCafferty accepted his responsibility for the offence, she said, and acknowledged that he made a mistake.

However, Sheriff Marie Smart decided that custody was appropriate for the pair, stating: “The offences to which you pleaded guilty are outrageous.

“Because a girl had a drink thrown over her, you embarked on a campaign that consisted of you chasing a boy through a store.

“Such is the fear you engendered in the public, the panic alarm was set off.

“John McCafferty, you then blocked the exit gesturing for this boy to come out.

“Frankly, this behaviour cannot be condoned and custody is the only sentence available in this matter.”

Sheriff Smart sentenced John McCafferty to six months’ detention at a young offenders’ institute, while his brother Aaron received three months.