Thug told prison guard his jailed brother would “get him”

Oct 6 2011 Hamilton Advertiser

A CONVICTED thug who threatened a prison officer by telling him that his jailed brother would “get him” has escaped a prison term.

Robert Crombie (32) was arrested after neighbours reported a disturbance to police in March of this year.

Before officers arrived on the scene, Crombie – of Lammer Wynd, Larkhall – singled out a neighbour who works at HMP Shotts and made the threat. It is believed the brother concerned was serving a sentence at the prison at the time.

At Hamilton Sheriff Court last month, the accused pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner in Cherrytree Crescent, Larkhall, on March 2.

Crombie admitted shouting, swearing and uttering threats during the incident, which took place outside his partner’s house.

Fiscal depute Liza Lann told the court that the accused was in a relationship with his partner Jane Jamieson, who lived in Cherrytree Crescent.

Ms Lann said that a neighbour had been walking past the home that evening when they spotted a young girl hanging out of a window and crying for help.

From inside the property, the neighbour could hear shouting and swearing, said Ms Lann.

The man returned with other neighbours to fetch the girl, during which time they heard the accused arguing with his partner.

The fiscal depute said that Crombie was demanding money from Ms Jamieson.

The police were then contacted but before they arrived Crombie made a comment to a neighbour, allegedly a prison officer, stating: “You’re the screw that works in Shotts. My brother’s in there, and I’ll get him to get you done.”

When police arrived, they arrested Crombie, who has a long list of previous convictions, including offences for assault and robbery and assault to severe injury.

Crombie was also released from prison in 2010 after serving a sentence for assault with intent to rob.

At Hamilton Sheriff Court last week, Sheriff Thomas Millar sentenced Crombie to a 12-month community payback order, requiring the accused to be of good behaviour and not to re-offend.

This was a direct alternative to custody, said Sheriff Millar.

l A spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service condemned the threats made by Crombie.

He said this week: “Obviously, prison officers do a difficult and dangerous job every day on behalf of the Scottish public.

“Anyone who makes that job even more difficult for them by threatening staff deserves to be punished and face the full rigours of the law.”