Revenge on 'wee neds' goes wrong

Court reporter • Published 14 Oct 2009 13:00

A MAN who was terrorised by a gang of violent youths turned the tables on them, but ended up being arrested himself.

Thomas Egan, 32, was collared by police after they were tipped off he was carrying a hammer in public.

When officers pulled over Egan's car and found the makeshift weapon he told them he wanted to give the "wee neds" a scare, Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard on Thursday.

Linda Clark, fiscal depute, told the court it was 1.45pm when a member of the public called the cops to say a man was seen carrying a hammer.

The officers saw Egan's car a short time later and searched it to reveal a small claw hammer in the boot.

He admitted he knew he had the hammer and made no reply when he was cautioned and charged.

Ms Clark said: "[Later] Egan offered a lengthy explanation that he had been approached by boys and girls in a tunnel and was verbally abused by them.

"[Egan] said he wanted to stop those 'wee neds' and took the hammer."

Egan pled guilty to having the hammer on Risk Street, Dumbarton, on July 23 this year.

Judith Reid, defending, said it was Egan's position that he took the hammer for protection against the youths, who she added were known in the area for robberies and carrying knives.

Ms Reid added: "He approached them to scare them off effectively - it is understood the youths were arrested themselves later on."

Sentencing, Sheriff David Hall said: "You clearly should have known better and what you did was extremely foolish."

Sheriff Hall fined Egan, of flat 2/1, 4 Goyle Avenue, Drumchapel, £300 for the offence.

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This article appeared in Clydebank Post 14 Oct 09

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