A JUDGE has heaped praise on a Johnstone heroin addict who was previously caged for stealing an ambulance used to ferry sick kids to hospital.

Sheriff Craig Harris lauded George Halliday at Paisley Sheriff Court this week over the crook’s performance on a court order he was placed on in February.

Halliday, 42, was given a Community Payback Order (CPO) for being caught driving in Lochwinnoch after taking drugs and returned to court on Monday for a review of his progress.

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Defence solicitor Alastair Gray described the progress report as “excellent.”

The lawyer added: “He is complying with all aspects of the order to a high standard.”

Sheriff Harris then told Halliday: “It’s important to recognise just how well you are engaging with this order. The opening sentence of the review report states that you are engaging with the order and complying to a high standard. You are also working to try and address your difficulties with substances.

“I will allow the order to continue to its conclusion. You’ll only be back if there’s a breach – and I very much hope there’s not.”

The court previously heard how, on December 4, 2017, other road users in Lochwinnoch watched as Halliday’s car hit a pedestrian railing and, believing he was under the influence, contacted police.

Halliday, of Buchanan Street, Johnstone, was placed on a 12-month CPO, which sees him supervised by social workers and having to remain at home for 140 days between 7pm and 7am.

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He was also banned from driving for three years and fined £100 for failing to appear at an earlier court hearing.

Halliday hit the headlines back in 2011 when he nicked a £27,000 Subaru Forester 4x4, which had been given to Glasgow’s Yorkhill Hospital, from outside a house in Johnstone.
The vehicle was later found burned out.

Halliday was charged over the theft and jailed for 25 months in 2012.

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