An Arbroath man whose life has gone downhill since he turned to drink has been jailed for four months.
John Christie’s solicitor said his client had been a “normal, law-abiding citizen” for most of his 55 years, before experiencing the alcohol difficulties that have now put him behind bars.
Christie is serving a jail term for wilful fire-raising, and at Forfar Sheriff Court on Wednesday was sentenced to four months for three further offences.
The accused, of Glenisla Drive, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner in the common close of Leonard Street on November 19 last year by repeatedly shouting and swearing and kicking the door of a female resident, to her alarm and the alarm of other occupants in the block.
He also pleaded guilty to twice breaching a special condition of bail on November 19 and April 8 by entering the town’s Leonard Street.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond told the court the first incident happened around 4am when a number of residents, who were asleep in their homes, were wakened by the sound of someone shouting and swearing.
“One immediately recognised the voice of the accused and was aware of someone trying her door handle,” the fiscal added.
One of the residents disturbed by Christie had two young children at home when the offence took place.
Other witnesses also heard Christie say: “I’m back”.
The complainer knew Christie was in breach of bail by being there and immediately phoned police.
Officers found the accused a short distance away and he told them: “I know I’m on bail, I shouldna have been there, I’m p****d”.
The fiscal said the second bail breach happened around 8.30pm when the complainer saw Christie and two other men walking by in Leonard Street.
Defence solicitor Billy Rennie told the court Christie is serving an 18-month sentence for fire-raising, with an expected liberation date of next May.
“That principal matter related to him setting fire to his own house, he shouted for the fire brigade and expert reports confirmed that it could not have been an accident.”
The bail condition banning him from Leonard Street followed and Mr Rennie said the November offence was: “clearly deliberate and considerably fuelled by alcohol and with anguish having lost his address.
“He had stayed there for 13 years and has been a law-abiding citizen for almost all his life, but drink has taken a hold and that has led to his difficulties.”
The April 8 bail breach, he added, was an inadvertent incident that happened when Christie accidentally walked through a nearby street.
He said Christie was working with intensive support services in an attempt to address his alcohol issues.