An Angus man who meted out summary justice to a drunken man who freaked out his teenage stepdaughters has been ordered to carry out unpaid work after landing in the dock.
Alistair Knight went out to confront the man after the girls returned “hysterical” from a bus journey home from Dundee.
But when the 35-year-old found the man near Monifieth’s Yummy Express takeaway he lost his cool and was seen by a witness outside a nearby pub to headbutt and punch the man.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond told Forfar Sheriff Court that the incident happened around 10.15pm and police who were called to the scene quickly found the man, but he was struggling to piece together his own movements because of his state of intoxication.
Several days later, Knight went to police after learning they were making inquiries into the incident.
Knight, of High Street, Monifieth pleaded guilty to the April 22 assault, which defence solicitor John Hall said had been borne out of the anxiety caused to the girls.
“He was sitting at home, effectively at peace with the world until they came home and he describes them as being almost hysterical,” he said.
“There had been a male who needlessly sat next to the girls on the bus and acted in an inappropriate way.
“The bus driver was sufficiently concerned that he let the male off at the High Street stop and drove past it to let the girls off near their house.
“Mr Knight then came out and saw the accused sitting on a wall. Some words were exchanged and then he headbutted and punched him.
“With hindsight he appreciates what he should have done was call the police and he could have followed the man and directed them to him.”
Imposing a Community Payback Order including 60 hours of unpaid work, Sheriff Pino Di Emidio said: “One never knows just how this type of situation might deteriorate.
“It is to your credit that you went to the police about this matter.
“No doubt the circumstances were disturbing at the time, but it was foolish of you to do what you did and it is not for you to take the law into your own hands.”
