A 23‑year‑old Glasgow man who abused and threatened his mother after she refused to give him a lift to Paisley has been sentenced to a restriction of liberty order at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
Incident in June escalated to threats with a knife
The court heard the incident occurred on 24 June when Bilal Shahid attended the family home and asked his mother for a lift to Paisley. When she refused, prosecutors said he became aggressive, launched into a stream of abuse and threatened her while holding a knife in her direction.
During the confrontation Shahid allegedly spat at his mother, with the saliva landing on her face and hair, prompting his sister to go upstairs for safety. Police were called and Shahid was taken into custody and later charged with threatening or abusive behaviour.
"There's no doubt you are deserving of a custodial sentence. By a very narrow margin I am deciding not to impose one."
The remark was made by the sheriff when passing sentence.
Earlier episode and background
The court was also told of a separate episode in May when Shahid had taken the family car without permission. His mother had gone outside looking for him after calling him in for a meal and discovered the vehicle was gone. Subsequent contact with Shahid revealed he had the car; police later traced and stopped him. He was found to be driving without a licence or insurance.
Prosecutors described Shahid as having a "considerable amount of previous convictions". Defence counsel told the court he had since moved out of Glasgow, regretted his behaviour and had had time to reflect. The defence also referred to Shahid's family circumstances, saying his father is unwell.
Sentence and requirements
Shahid was given a restriction of liberty order and will be subject to electronic monitoring. The sheriff noted the seriousness of the conduct but said, by a narrow margin, he would not impose custody.
| Key dates | Event |
|---|---|
| May | Alleged unauthorised use of family car; driving with no licence or insurance |
| 24 June | Alleged abusive incident at family home; threatened mother with a knife |
| Sentencing | Restriction of liberty order imposed with electronic monitoring |
The case underlines the range of offences that can arise from domestic disputes, from unauthorised use of a vehicle to threatening behaviour in the family home. For residents of Paisley and surrounding areas, it is a reminder of the pressures that can manifest in domestic settings and the role of local policing and the courts in responding to such incidents.
Local implications
While the events took place in Glasgow, the victim’s refusal to drive her son to Paisley is a detail that links the case directly to communities across Renfrewshire. The court record states Shahid has since left Glasgow; it is not clear whether he has any connections to Paisley beyond the destination he sought that day.
Domestic incidents of this nature are handled by the police and prosecuted by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in Scotland. Sentences such as restriction of liberty orders are used to supervise offenders in the community where a custodial term is deemed not strictly necessary, balancing punishment with measures aimed at preventing reoffending.
- Accused: Bilal Shahid, aged 23
- Charges: threatening or abusive behaviour; earlier incident involved driving without a licence or insurance
- Outcome: restriction of liberty order with electronic monitoring
The sheriff's decision reflects the court's assessment of the balance between the seriousness of the offending and the potential for community‑based measures to address rehabilitation. Local policing teams in Paisley and Glasgow continue to prioritise domestic safety; those affected by similar issues are advised to contact Police Scotland or local support services.
