A widely known kayak teacher and group activist threatened to stab a pubgoer in a smoking row.
Paul Richardson went berserk after he caught a drinker from the neighbouring Previous Swan Inn smoking within the doorway of his shut.
A sheriff informed him at court docket yesterday that his response to the incident was “wholly disproportionate”.
Paisley Sheriff Court docket heard how a drinker from the Smithhills Avenue boozer went outdoors for a smoke on September 28, 2020 earlier than encountering Richardson.
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The court docket heard he appeared from the shut and took difficulty with the person.
Procurator fiscal depute Kirsten Brierley stated: “At round 4.48pm, the witness was current outdoors the Previous Swan pub.
“He was having a cigarette presently when the accused exited the shut door that results in his house handle and he started to shout and swear on the witness because of the witness smoking.”
He informed the person: “Don’t smoke in my f***ing doorway, my mum isn't nicely.”
The 45-year-old went on to ask the person if he was ingesting within the pub.
When the person confirmed he was, Richardson informed him he would go and “see the owner”.
The court docket was informed he went into the pub and commenced to shout: “One in every of your punters is on the market smoking in my shut and I’ve informed you about that.”
Workers informed Police Richardson was “purple with rage” in the course of the incident.
The prosecution added: “The accused exited the bar, at which level he said he was going to take a photograph of the smoking and ship it to the council. The witness informed the accused to take action.”
However the fracas didn’t finish there and kayak teacher Richardson informed the person: “I’ll come again and do you.
“I’ll stab you”.
The court docket heard Richardson was additionally making stabbing motions in the direction of the physique of the sufferer as he made the threats
Richardson then walked off in the direction of a close-by buying centre whereas police had been known as in, the court docket was informed.
A defence agent for the accused stated his consumer “misplaced his mood” because of the truth there has “been some ongoing points” between the clientele of the pub and neighbouring residents.
The defence claimed there had been a bunch of points, together with complaints over “music and noise”, parking and the behaviour of consumers from the boozer, whom he claimed had been smoking and urinating in closes across the venue.
Richardson’s agent additionally informed how “disagreements and fights” had been liable to unfolding on account of clients’ behaviour.
The defence informed how Richardson had volunteered for the RNLI on Loch Lomond final summer season and had been concerned in rescues, together with saving a baby from drowning.
He additionally stated his consumer had been counseled by Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron after he used his abilities on water to assist clear garbage from the White Cart by kayak.
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Richardson additionally helps clear particles from the River Clyde throughout the Glasgow Metropolis boundaries and informed the Specific final November how he was banned by authorities from cleansing up the town’s waterway in the course of the COP26 local weather summit.
He additionally admitted driving with out insurance coverage on April 10, 2021 in Paisley after being stopped by Police.
Sheriff Bruce Erroch QC, fined Richardson £180 for the unique incident and levied a £10 sufferer surcharge.
He additionally fined him £225 for driving with out insurance coverage and imposed an extra £20 sufferer surcharge, in addition to imposing 5 penalty factors on his licence.
Sentencing, the Sheriff branded Richardson’s behaviour “wholly disproportionate” and added: “A dim view must be taken.”
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