Racist thug threatened to burn down Motherwell shop

Feb 18 2010 Hamilton Advertiser

A MOTHERWELL thug racially abused two shop workers and threatened to burn down the store, a court heard.

Thirty-six-year-old Paul Curran, who has over 150 previous convictions including racial assault, pleaded guilty to verbally abusing the Asian teenagers and causing them distress by uttering racist remarks.

He also admitted committing a breach of the peace by telling them that he would return later to set fire to the family-run business, Keystore licensed grocers in Bellshill Road, Motherwell.

The offences were committed on Saturday morning, February 13.

However, Curran’s not guilty plea to stealing a pack of bacon from the store on the same date was accepted by the Crown.

Fiscal depute Jackie Spiers told the court the complainers had reason to follow Curran from the shop on Saturday at around 9.30am. When the accused spotted his pursuers, she said, he turned around and shouted racial abuse at them.

The teenagers were so distressed by the threats and the abuse they returned to the shop and phoned the police who traced the accused, of Airth Court.

When cautioned and charged, said the fiscal depute, Curran replied: “I’ve been stupid.”

Curran’s solicitor Alan Murray explained that the accused has a long history of drug and alcohol addiction.

“He recently moved into a homeless unit after his parents moved house.

“My client didn’t have any desire to set fire to the property. His behaviour was an instinctive reaction on his part as a response to being followed from the shop.

“There was never any intent to burn down the shop.”

Mr Murray added his client had been in touch with relevant contacts with a view to attending a six-month detox programme in the Scottish Borders.

However, Sheriff John Miller told Curran that a jail sentence could be a likely outcome for his “appalling” conduct.

Sheriff Miller added that he would be giving “serious consideration” to a custodial sentence.

Sentence was deferred on Curran until March 15 for reports. Bail was granted meantime.

Curran’s criminal history includes convictions for assault, breach of the peace, drugs offences, theft, shoplifting, racial assault and malicious damage.