An Angus man whose family fall-out turned into a Sunday night show for shocked onlookers has been told to behave over the festive period by a sheriff.
James Clark lost the plot with his brother after a get-together turned sour, threatening to throw him off a balcony and kill him in the July incident.
The 51-year-old has been given a chance to prove the offence was a one-off after appearing in the dock at Forfar Sheriff Court.
Clark, of Noran Avenue, Arbroath appeared before Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown where he admitted behaving in a threatening manner in Seagate, Montrose on July 29 by swearing and making threats of violence.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond told the court the offence happened around 10.15pm when Clark was at the home of his brother, along with other family members.
“He was asked to leave and refused to do so,” said the fiscal.
That led to a row and police were called, arriving shortly after.
“The accused became very vocal in the common stairwell. He was shouting up to his brother’s flat and was warned by officers to stop, but didn’t.
Clark was heard to say: “If I get back up there, I’m going to throw my brother off the balcony.
He also told his sibling: “You’re f****** dead, I’m going to kill you.”
The fiscal added: “Several members of the public were now taking an interest in the incident.”
Clark was arrested and handcuffed before being taken to police headquarters in Dundee, where he made no reply to the breach of the peace charge.
Defence solicitor Billy Rennie said: “Essentially it was a family feud that spilled over.
“He does have a strained relationship with his brother.
“He had been out, had a huge argument, and he started to leave because he wasn’t the root cause of the situation.
“He has caused very little trouble to the courts before and there doesn’t seem to be any long-standing issues,” added Mr Rennie.
Sheriff Martin-Brown told Clark she was prepared to defer sentence on him for six months for him to be of good behaviour.
“It seems to have been a family matter that got out of hand.
“You have a very limited record and this period will take you over the festive period.”
Clark will return to court in mid-March.
