A nearly-naked intruder’s false teeth flew out when he was confronted by a shocked householder in his hallway.
Father-of-three Craig White was forced to pick up the dentures while Eric Donaldson, 58, carried on a bizarre 15-minute rampage around his home.
The clinical researcher was working at home during lockdown when he found Donaldson topless and with his trousers around his ankles.
Fiscal depute Sarah Wilkinson told Perth Sheriff Court on Wednesday: “At 3.25 pm Mr White was in his office when his attention was drawn to a noise in his hall.
“He saw the accused standing in a state of undress. He had no clothing on his top half and his trousers were at his ankles.
“The accused was confrontational.
“He was spitting, with saliva landing on the floor and on items. Mr White continued to ask him to leave.
“The accused continued to walk around the ground floor, picking up items and rummaging in drawers. Mr White contacted the police.
“The accused continued to shout and swear and was spitting. The accused’s false teeth flew out as a result. Mr White picked these up to remove them and to protect his family.”
Mr White, 40, eventually left for his own safety and locked Donaldson in, and the house was found to be in a state of disarray when police arrived.
Solicitor Mike Tavendale, defending, Donaldson has a long-term drug issue and does not remember the incident.
“Mr White has indicated that perhaps he has been able to see the funny side, but if the children had been in the house there would have been a lot more concern,” he added.
Mr White said he left his home and shut Donaldson inside when he became increasingly aggressive as he waited for the police to arrive and deal with him.
When the police led Donaldson from the house he was wearing Mr White’s slippers and carrying a family portrait, a pencil sharpener and a card from a pack of Happy Families. He had left behind money which had fallen from his pocket.
Father-of-three Mr White – whose wife and children were out for a walk at the time – said he could laugh about the incident now, but admitted it was frightening at the time.
Donaldson, of Primrose Crescent, Perth, admitted acting in a threatening or abusive manner in Poplar Drive, Bridge of Earn, on January 12.
He admitted causing fear or alarm by entering the house uninvited in a state of undress and spitting several times – including spitting his false teeth out onto the floor.
He admitted acting aggressively, shouting and swearing, rummaging through handbags and drawers, repeatedly picking items up and refusing to leave.
Mr White said: “I was in my office working from home. I had headphones and music on and was concentrating on work.
“I heard a sound in the hall during a quiet moment. I took off the headphones and opened the door and there was a chap standing with his back to me.
“He had his trousers down and his top off in my hallway. My immediate thought was that he needed help and I tried to speak to him calmly. I asked why he was here.
“He was making absolutely no sense at all. I asked if there was somebody I could call for him. Only at that point did I realise he was perhaps on drugs or intoxicated.
“He was going into the hallway, the living room and the kitchen. He seemed to be in a complete state of confusion. He was not for coming out the front door.
“He was spitting at me. His dentures came out eventually because he had false teeth on the top.
“I didn’t want to get into a physical tussle with him. I thought I’d phone police, stand outside until they removed him, and let the professionals deal with him.
“They showed up very quickly. He came out with various random items. He had a picture, a Happy Families playing card, a pencil sharpener and he was wearing my slippers.
“As the police were coming down the street, I could see him bent over putting my slippers on. He had taken his shoes and jacket off outside and took his jumper off in the house.
“He had boxers on but his trousers were round his ankles. His teeth came out. It’s hilarious in hindsight, but at the time it was quite frightening.
“I picked up his teeth with a tissue and put them with the pile of his stuff outside. The police gave me back the things he had picked up, but they took him away wearing my slippers. They were a Christmas present, but I’ve got a new pair now.”
Mr White said Donaldson had lived nearby and may have been confused while he was under the influence because the houses were similar in design.
He said: “He maybe thought it was his house, but I couldn’t snap him back to reality. I hope he gets the help he obviously needs.
“I know it was completely random, but it’s a timely reminder to people working at home to keep their doors locked.”
Sheriff Neil Bowie yesterday deferred sentence for Donaldson to be assessed for a Restriction of Liberty Order and to provide evidence of his medical situation.
