Campbell McKeown, 61, from Knightswood, was sentenced at Glasgow Sheriff Court recently after pleading guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting and swearing. He also accepted that he uttered racially offensive remarks and threats of violence as well as brandishing a knife.
The court heard that McKeown had been in his home on Great Western Road at around 11pm on January 11, 2024, when he fell asleep whilst cooking causing a fire alarm to go off.
At this time one of his neighbours went to his door because of the alarm.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was called to the property, and on arrival they could hear McKeown and the neighbour arguing loudly in the hallway.
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A member of the fire crew then heard McKeown say “tell that black b*****d next door I’m going to murder him”.
An argument took place and police were called.
McKeown was cautioned and charged to which he made no reply.
Addressing McKeown’s lawyer, Sheriff Vincent Lunny stated that there was “no excuse” for her client’s language.
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He said: “Regardless of the background there’s no excuse for the language, none at all. He fell asleep while cooking whilst under the influence of alcohol.
“I dealt with the neighbour who was also prosecuted for his side of the argument although he pleaded to a much less serious offence.
“This has happened before with the fire alarm. Neighbours are frightened they’re going to get burned out their homes if he keeps making food when he is not capable.”
McKeown’s defence solicitor replied: “He doesn’t drink in excess as he is up early every morning. There were issues with the fire alarm previously.
“Some of his neighbours’ partners have difficulty exiting the property. He knows that. There have been no issues with the fire alarm since January this year.
“He doesn’t have any previous convictions and this is his first offence.”
Sheriff Lunny fined McKeown £320.
