A man caught with a broken bottle and metal pole in a street in Forfar has been spared jail.
Graham Orrock, 31, Longview Terrace, Forfar, appeared from custody before Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown and his solicitor Billy Rennie said his client expressed “genuine remorse” for his actions.
He admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner on July 5 in the town’s West High Street; shouting; acting aggressively; uttering threats of violence towards a group of people; running towards them; and brandishing a glass bottle and a metal pole at them.
Forfar Sheriff Court heard the incident happened around 9.30pm.
Two females saw Orrock walking along West High Street and heard and saw a group of teenage youths continually shouting at him.
They were calling him names and telling him to “come on”.
Depute fiscal Stewart Duncan said Orrock had a glass bottle in the waistband of his trousers and a metal pole in his hand.
Mr Duncan said the females told Orrock the teenagers weren’t worth it and urged him not to get involved.
He was lost to sight and the females heard the sound of glass breaking.
Orrock was heard to shout: “I will take you on one by one.”
Police were called and found him in possession of a broken bottle and a metal pole.
He told police he was walking home when he was followed by the youths and he picked up the bottle to defend himself.
Mr Rennie said there was “certainly provocation” in the conduct towards his client.
“It had been going on for some time causing him to pick up a bottle and a metal pole which was lying around,” said Mr Rennie.
“It was quite severe provocation and Mr Orrock would express genuine remorse and regret for his actions.
“With hindsight he admits he could have handled it differently.”
Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown said she was prepared to deal with the matter with a community-based disposal.
She sentenced him to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work in 12 months with a supervision requirement.
He must also attend the Steps to Change programme.
He will return to court for a review on December 13.
The sheriff told him: “You have been given a chance – don’t mess this up.”
