The new week ushers in a new clutch of court craziness.
Crooked goalie
Former Dundee FC goalkeeper Grant Adam admitted embezzling £15,000 from his grandfather while acting as Power of Attorney for the 78-year-old. The 30-year-old, currently with Lochee United, will be sentenced at a later date after pleading guilty to withdrawing the cash from outlets across Dundee over a three-month period.
Shoeless rampage
A thug who spat in a police officer’s face and threatened to petrol bomb children during a chaotic rampage in a Dundee shop has been released from custody for reports to be prepared.
Shoeless John Duncan terrorised staff at Graham Street News after being caught trying to hide a milkshake in his clothing, while high on drugs.
The 28-year-old later repeatedly punched a police officer while clutching a screwdriver and trying to gouge his eye, before spitting in the face of another.
Duncan, who was on remand at HMP Grampian, pled guilty at Dundee Sheriff Court to embarking on the crime spree on April 2.
Solicitor Theo Finlay said Duncan had relapsed into taking drugs following the news a family member was terminally ill and that his partner was pregnant.
“When in sobriety he is an intelligent and entirely reasonable man.
“Those pieces of news resulted in a crisis of confidence and a lack of self-belief which spiralled into this drug misuse.”
Sheriff Gregor Murray deferred sentence until October for a social work report and a drug treatment assessment to be carried out.
Duncan was released on bail.
‘Unnatural connection’ with dog
A psychological assessment has been ordered for a Perthshire actor who had an “unnatural connection” with a German Shepherd dog. Ewan Cole was caught with child abuse and bestiality material, including the image of himself and the dog.
Vodka row
A shoplifter has been cleared of pulling a knife on his younger brother in a row over a stolen vodka bottle.
Ewan Roy, 30, who has a string of drink driving convictions, was found not guilty after trial of brandishing a blade towards 26-year-old joiner Graham Roy.
The younger sibling visited his brother at his flat in Craighead House, Crieff on December 14, 2019.
He told the trial: “His backpack was hanging open and I took out a bottle of vodka.
“This was 9am. I knew he couldn’t have bought it from anywhere. I knew it had to have been stolen.”
Mr Roy claimed that as he tried to take a photo of the vodka to show his father, he turned around and saw his brother holding a knife.
Mr Roy told the court he took three photos of his brother with the knife.
The images were shown in court.
Roy was found not guilty of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and brandishing a knife towards his brother.
Sheriff Linda Smith agreed with defence agent Paul Ralph the photos were not dated and could not be linked with the alleged offence.
Roy admitted stealing alcohol from Aldi, Broich Road, Crieff.
Fiscal Andrew Harding said that Roy took £16 of booze but only the £14 vodka bottle was recovered.
Sheriff Smith deferred sentence for one year to give Roy the chance to prove he can stay out of trouble.
Murder charge
Mark Campbell, 35 appeared in Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court accused of murdering Glenrothes woman Jane Fitzpatrick. He made no plea and was remanded.
In case you missed it…
Friday round-up — ‘Rather strange’ paedo squabble and a sticky situation
Thursday round-up — Birthday bash and bottle smash
Wednesday round-up — Secret SIM and drunken abuse
Tuesday round-up — Shovel break-in and forbidden romance
EXCLUSIVE: How fraudsters scammed Crieff restaurant out of £44,000 in elaborate curry racket