Maddiston neighbours armed themselves with baseball bat and garden shears during street stand-off

Ashleigh Campbell, of 57 Forgie Crescent, and Ross Pearson, of 40 Forgie Crescent, went head-to-head in the street after the former smashed a window at Pearson’s home.

The pair, who are aged 27 and 42 respectively, appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday.

Campbell had pleaded guilty to damaging property belonging to another while on bail and having and brandishing an offensive weapon, namely a baseball bat, without reasonable excuse or lawful authority on July 10, 2020.

Pearson admitted possessing an offensive weapon, namely garden shears, while both neighbours accepted they’d behaved threateningly by shouting and swearing.

The drama unfolded when Campbell smashed the window and “made off down the street towards her home address”.

Rachel Wallace, procurator fiscal depute, said: “The accused, Pearson, followed her down the street with a pair of garden shears in his hand.

“He continued to follow her down the street where they continued to shout and swear. The accused, Campbell, at this time had a baseball bat in her hand and was swinging it about.

“A witness contacted police. Police attended and traced the accused, Pearson, at his home address. He was cautioned and charged and replied, ‘Yes, my house is being attacked’.”

Campbell’s defence solicitor, Dick Sandeman, said: “The report says the families had been friendly and she’d been caring occasionally for the children. There had been some sort of falling out.

“Somebody had slashed her car’s tyres the day before. She put two and two together and came up with the conclusion it was Mr Pearson.

“She went to the house, had a baseball bat and smashed the window. There was a big argument between them.”

Mr Sandeman explained this was his client’s first conviction and she’s someone who had a “somewhat difficult upbringing”.

Defence solicitor Lynn Swann, representing Pearson, said: “He pleaded guilty on March 18.

“He became involved when he heard the window smash. He very much regrets that he went outside to the street and picked up garden shears.

“He held them in his hand and wasn’t brandishing them in any way.”

Sheriff Christopher Shead intervened: “As far as the community are concerned, they see other members shouting and swearing in the street.

“One is brandishing a baseball bat and the other is holding shears.”

Ms Swann replied: “He very much regrets he involved himself.

“He’s subject to a community payback order due to expire in December. This matter predates the imposition of that order. He’s been engaging with that.

“He’s worked with a supervisor and linked with the Community Alcohol and Drugs Service.

“He had a bad record. There are gaps between 2016 and 2020. He had other issues with his health and was on a prescription for sleeping tablets.”

The court was told Pearson cares for his partner who “doesn’t keep good health” and has had cancer.

His solicitor added: “There are children from the relationship and he has contact regularly.”

Sheriff Shead ordered Campbell to complete 150 hours’ unpaid work within 12 months, while Pearson must carry out 120 hours of unpaid work within a year.

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