AN ARDROSSAN man who smashed the windows of his own brother’s home pledged to give up the drink after causing disorder during a family gathering.

Gary Moore, 31, was sentenced last week [January 13] after smashing the living room window and a glass panel door on February 7 last year in Whitlees Crescent.

Glasgow Street resident Moore, who Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard was already on a community payback order, was given another 60 hours unpaid work, after previously pleading guilty to wilfully or recklessly destroying property.

The Procurator Fiscal said: “At about 8pm on February 7 [four] witnesses and the accused had attended the locus for a family gathering.

"One witness [his brother] and the accused were both under the influence of alcohol and began arguing in the kitchen.

“There was cause for the police to attend at 2.19am on February 8 police attended and observed the door to be lying open. They entered and the accused was not within.

"Shortly thereafter police were contacted and informed a male now known to be the accused had attended a neighbour’s address and was found smashing the windows.

“[A female witness] was within her bed and woke up to the sound of glass smashing.

"She heard further smashing sounds before looking out the window.

“Police attended and took statements. About 15 minutes later the accused was traced to a nearby street and was arrested.

“He was conveyed to Saltcoats Police Station then cautioned and charged.

“In response, he said: “I know I smashed my brother’s windows – I’ll pay for it”.”

The Crown was unable to establish the value of the damage during the hearing after questions from Sheriff Sheena Fraser.

Defence Solicitor Alex Muir said: “The man is 31, single and lives alone and receives benefits.

"He was put on a CPO last November, that runs until November this year.

“I won’t go into great detail but Mr Moore recognises difficulties with drink.

"He tells me from December he’s taken the decision to stop drinking and hasn’t touched alcohol since and intends to continue.

"He hadn’t been working and that has brought about boredom.

"You clearly understand that behaviour like this is unacceptable and you have taken steps to address the problem by stopping drinking alcohol.”