Stenhousemuir teen with history of convictions threw stones at policewoman

Jack McCracken (19) admitted assaulting the officer in the execution of her duty on September 16 in the car park at Falkirk Town Hall.

McCracken, 24 Muirfield Road, Stenhousemuir, also pleaded guilty to resisting, obstructing or hindering police by struggling violently with them on the same day.

Officers became aware of a group of youths causing a “disturbance” near Falkirk Police Station, procurator fiscal depute Sarah Smith said.

She continued: “One of those was the accused. The group were shouting towards the officers and were warned regarding their conduct.

“The accused left the area and turned right into the car park at Falkirk Town Hall.

“As the officers walked towards the accused he began throwing stones towards the witness. They didn’t make any contact.”

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McCracken, who has 11 convictions on his record from April 2018 to September 2020, eventually had to be restrained on the ground by police until back-up arrived.

Defence solicitor Martin Morrow said: “He comes across as very ashamed.

“He’s in homeless accommodation and managed to keep employment in Bathgate.

“He was with a crowd of youngsters and drink had been taken. He actually went off when told to go and then got himself involved wrongly with the police.”

Sheriff Derek Livingston warned him he was “getting closer and closer” to custody but didn’t jail McCracken because of the timing of his plea.

He was ordered to complete 170 hours of unpaid work within a year.

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