Man lobbed shoe at prosecutor after being remanded in custody at Airdrie Sheriff Court

A man who threw a shoe at a prosecutor after being told he was being remanded in custody has been jailed for 30 months.

Stuart Young, 21, struck the woman on the head during a hearing at Airdrie Sheriff Court on March 2, 2026.

Young also hurled a string of abusive remarks towards the presiding Sheriff, which included: “This will be on your conscience.”

Young pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to an assault to the woman’s injury.

He also admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards the sheriff.

The court heard that Young appeared from custody at court that day to answer a private petition case and two summary warrants.

Due to his behaviour and comments made earlier, he was escorted into the dock and handcuffed to an officer.

Young appeared “agitated” and clenched his fists when he entered the courtroom.

He then became angry and shouted to the sheriff that he was a “f***ing idiot.”

The clerk of the court warned him about his behaviour, to which Young replied: “F*** off.”

Young continued to be disruptive through the rest of the hearing and repeatedly interrupted the prosecutor while making a motion for him to be remanded into custody.

When Young was told he would be remanded, he shouted to the sheriff: “F***ing specky, f***ing smelly, f***ing b******, fat b******, old b******, dirty ratbag, fat specky p****, f***ing a***hole, this will be on your conscience, I’m not gonna come to court, I’ll be hanging.”

Prosecutor Ally Murray added: “On being removed from the dock, Young took off his shoe and threw it towards the Procurator Fiscal Depute.

“The shoe struck her on the side of the head, causing pain and redness to her right ear.”

Young was then taken to prison.

Declan O’Keefe, defending, told the court that his client’s mother had recently passed away at the time of the offence.

The advocate added: “He is aware that he has no excuse whatsoever for this disgusting behaviour.

“He is very sorry about this and has experienced the High Court for the first time.”

When jailing him, Judge Lord Arthurson told Young: “It is plain that a custodial sentence is inevitable.

“This occurred in a courtroom while the court was in session, and you physically attacked an officer of the court and abused the judicial officer.”