Man jailed after throwing shoe at prosecutor and tirade at sheriff

Stuart Young, 21, struck procurator fiscal depute Tammy Hislop on the head during a hearing at Airdrie Sheriff Court on 2 March 2026.

Young later pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to assaulting Ms Hislop to her injury and to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards the presiding sheriff.

The court heard that Young appeared from custody to answer a petition and two summary warrants. Owing to concerns about his conduct, he was escorted into the dock and handcuffed to a police officer.

Prosecutor Ally Murray said Young appeared agitated and became increasingly disruptive during the hearing, repeatedly interrupting proceedings and directing abuse at the sheriff.

After being told he would be remanded in custody, Young launched into a tirade of insults and told the sheriff: “This will be on your conscience” and “I’ll be hanging.”

He shouted at the sheriff: “F***ing specky, f***ing smelly, f***ing b ******” and so on.

As he was being removed from the dock, Young removed one of his shoes and threw it towards Ms Hislop, striking her on the side of the head and causing pain and redness to her ear.

Defence counsel Declan O’Keefe said Young’s mother had recently died and that he was deeply remorseful for what he accepted was “disgusting behaviour”.

Sentencing, Lord Arthurson told Young: “It is plain that a custodial sentence is inevitable. This occurred in a court room while the court was in session and you physically attacked an officer of the court.”