A Montrose pensioner threatened a man with his walking stick in a neighbour dispute in a quiet cul-de-sac.
Alan Douthwaite, 70, admitted acting in a threatening and abusive manner toward David Mackay and possessing an offensive weapon — the walking stick — in Ferryden earlier this month.
Douthwaite, who has a previous conviction dating back to 1995, represented himself at Forfar Sheriff Court.
The septuagenarian asked the court if he could have his confiscated cane back as it had belonged to his late brother.
Neighbour dispute
Depute fiscal Matthew Kerr told the court: “Witnesses Mr Mackay and Ms Reid live close to the locus.
“The accused, Douthwaite, is a friend of their neighbour.
“At around 2.30pm the witnesses returned home and saw the neighbour’s van parked askew, resulting in access to their drive being restricted.
“As witness Mr Mackay drove past, he took a photo of previously existing scuff marks present on the van.
“Soon after, the accused appeared from the garden.
“He shouted ‘who the f**k do you think you are’ and ‘what the f**k are you doing’.
“It was explained why photos were being taken.
“Mr Mackay then became aware of the accused storming toward him and his driveway, with what he thought was a long club raised above his head.”
‘I’m going to get you’
Mr Kerr continued: “Douthwaite shouted ‘I am going to f***ing get you’.
“He then shouted ‘you don’t even own your house’.
“He brought up matters between Mr Mackay and his friend.
“At this time Reid… saw what she thought was a pole raised above Douthwaite’s head.
“He shouted ‘you better watch yourself, I know where you live’ to Mr Mackay.
“Police were contacted.
“They traced the accused at around 3.35pm still in the garden, with the walking stick hung on a table next to Douthwaite.
“This was identified as the object the accused had in his possession at the time.
“Douthwaite was arrested and replied ‘I find it hard to believe someone can threaten to knock you out and cause criminal damage and nothing happens, yet when I react to him I am arrested. That is wrong.”
Body camera pledge
Douthwaite represented himself from the dock, where he explained the ongoing dispute between his friend and Mr Mackay.
He said: “I did go on his property, I admit that.
“That was wrong. This could have been resolved had he just been able to keep his mouth shut.
“I just lost it for a few minutes.
“Would it be possible to get my stick back?
“I have kept to the bail conditions.
“I won’t react again.
“I will wear a body camera.”
‘All options open’
Sheriff Alison Michie deferred sentence for six months for Douthwaite, of Erskview Terrace, Montrose, to be of good behaviour.
She added: “You have a significant conviction which is not analogous.
“All options remain open to the court.
“There must be no repeat or escalation of this behaviour.
“It will be a test to see if you remain out of trouble.”
For all the latest from the court rooms of Tayside and Fife, join our Facebook group.
Neighbours at war — what to do when you can’t stand the people living next door
