A man who repeatedly disrupted wind farm component deliveries in Ayrshire for more than a month has been ordered to complete 270 hours of unpaid work after appearing at Ayr Sheriff Court.
Mark Craig, 45, admitted culpable and reckless conduct and threatening or abusive behaviour involving vehicles on the B741 between Armour Wynd and U720 Dalricket, Dalmellington. The court heard that the incidents took place as abnormal loads carrying wind turbine parts travelled through the area with police escorts.
Convoys blocked on several occasions
Craig admitted repeatedly obstructing the movement of the convoys on various dates between August 12 and September 21, 2024. He used a stationary vehicle to block the roadway and, on one occasion, placed a trailer on the road. He refused to move when asked.
The disruption involved a convoy made up of numerous vehicles and escorting police vehicles. Craig also threw a traffic cone at one convoy and shone a high-powered handheld torch into the eyes of vehicle drivers.
The court was told that the conduct happened six or seven times. The deliveries were described as important to the company involved, although no physical damage was caused.
Threats at construction site
Craig, of Lanehead Farm, also admitted a separate charge relating to a construction site on the B741 between Dalmellington and New Cumnock. On November 14, 2024, he shouted at and made threats of violence towards employees of Excalon Limited working at the site, causing fear and alarm.
His defence solicitor told the court: “He over-reacted to the situation. He is remorseful and apologises.
“The report recommends a community-based disposal.
“The six or seven occasions this happened were inconvenient and while important to the company, there was no actual damage. A cone was thrown. It is unfortunate behaviour. There was no harm or long-term damage caused.”
Sentence includes driving ban
Sheriff Diane Turner asked whether the court had financial information about the cost of the delays, given that police escorts were present during the movements. The court did not have details of those costs.
She said she believed the incidents must have been stressful for the drivers. Addressing Craig, Sheriff Turner described the matter as a very serious incident and said it was a deliberate course of conduct rather than a single act of frustration.
Craig was placed on a community payback order with 12 months’ supervision and 270 hours of unpaid work. The work requirement was reduced from 300 hours because he pleaded guilty on the morning of the trial.
He was also banned from driving for six months with immediate effect. Sheriff Turner said she was prepared to step back from a custodial sentence, while making clear that she considered Craig had used his vehicle as part of the offending.
