An Angus man headbutted a shop worker following a dispute over the price of his kebab, a court has heard.
Alistair Thomson (39), of Dishlandtown Street, Arbroath, previously admitted the attack at the Kismet Takeaway in the town’s Westport on September 13.
He further admitted behaving in a threatening and abusive manner, causing fear and alarm, shouting and swearing and using racially abusive language.
He also admitted punching the employee on the head and the next day assaulting a female police officer at Arbroath Police Office, by kicking her on the body to her injury.
Arbroath Sheriff Court heard Thomson had been under the influence of alcohol when he entered the takeaway and had become abusive after being told how much his order would cost.
He shouted: ”You can f*** off, you half-cast.”
Depute fiscal Arlene Shaw said: ”The accused pushed the complainer against the wall and headbutted him. The complainer pushed him away and the accused then punched him.”
The shop worker was not injured in the attack.
Thomson’s defence agent said the incident had taken place nearly a year to the day after his client’s partner had died, claiming the anniversary had a bad effect, coupled with ”too much to drink.”
He added that the accused was the sole carer of his young son.
Sheriff Derek Pyle told Thomson: ”If it wasn’t for your 11-year-old son you would be going to jail.”
He was sentenced to a community payback order of 160 hours to be carried out over a 12-month period.
Photo by Flickr user Rain Rannu.