Health minister Nicola Sturgeon has reiterated the Scottish Government’s determination to introduce alcohol price controls after a Crieff teenager was convicted of his first offence after a booze binge.
Scotland’s “human tragedy” of alcohol abuse was lamented as Aaron Hales blamed a remarkable drinking session for his actions.
The 19-year-old had downed 13 cans of beer and three litres of cider before losing control and hammering at a door with an iron bar during a late-night party in April 2010.
The court heard on Wednesday that Hales, who was fined £500, only stopped his rampage after police were called. He had never committed a crime before and remained out of trouble in the 13 months since the offence.
Sheriff Robert McCreadie said his actions were indicative of a wider malaise in Scottish society which has been brought sharply into focus in recent years. His comments resonated with the Scottish Government and Tayside Council on Alcohol and prompted renewed calls for a minimum alcohol unit price.
Sheriff McCreadie said of Hales, “He has come to grief over something we see every day in court: vast amounts of alcohol which, if taken by people over a period of time, would literally destroy them physically and mentally.
“It’s a huge human tragedy which we have in this country and we need a massive change in social attitude. The general behaviour I see across the country is doing great damage.”
Hales, of Leadenflower Court, admitted breaching the peace in the common close of the street’s Colville House on April 11, 2010. He pled guilty to conducting himself in a disorderly manner, shouting, swearing and striking a door with an iron weight.
After considering background reports, Sheriff McCreadie accepted Hales’ actions had been “out of character” but said his “utter, utter madness” was unsurprising after that volume of alcohol.
He said, “It’s the kind of brainless drinking I’m hugely concerned about in towns and villages all over this community.”
Eric Knox, director of Tayside Council on Alcohol, said such cases, in which the accused may never have come to the judiciary’s attention were it not for the availability of vast quantities of cheap alcohol, are all too common.
He said, “The scenario is one which will happen all too frequently. Young people having access to large volumes of cheap alcohol, to have a drink before they go out or in their houses, has the potential to cause real problems in the community and individuals themselves.
“There will be people where it’s a new experience for them and they have access to so much, it changes their personality for that night.
“Every Friday and Saturday night young people who would not otherwise be involved with the police will engage in violent behaviour because it changes their personality.
“It is endemic in Scotland and it is because of the country’s relationship with alcohol.”
Continued…
Mr Knox, a former Tayside Police chief inspector, said he hopes the return of the SNP government will see the successful resurrection of its plans to introduce minimum alcohol prices.
He said, “We need to limit the availability of cheap alcohol and look at some sort of regulation round off-licence premises and tackle irresponsible drinks promotions.
“Hopefully the new government will reintroduce minimum pricing of alcohol so we can start tackling the availability of alcohol on the streets because it is a huge issue we have got to face up to.
“That alone won’t change the culture but would be one of a package of measures which need to be taken on.”
Ms Sturgeon, the Scottish Government secretary for health and wellbeing, said, “There is a clear link between the price of alcohol and consumption levels. We believe that minimum pricing would be the most effective and efficient way to tackle alcohol misuse, as it would effectively target problem drinkers and help them reduce their consumption.
“That is why we will introduce a Minimum Pricing Bill and we welcome the support for this measure.”
Meanwhile, Sheriff McCreadie also dealt with Robert Hay (19), of St John Street, Perth, on Wednesday.
He pled guilty to committing a breach of the peace at his home address on October 28 by threatening to throw a television out of a window on to his partner, shouting, swearing and smashing a bottle.
He also admitted violently resisting arrest by lashing out at four police officers with his arms and legs.
The court heard he had had 10 cans of strong lager, the drug methadone and then more alcohol that night.
Sheriff McCreadie said, “At the heart of this, again, is the inability to control alcohol intake I spoke about earlier. It’s the utter and awful irresponsibility that alarms me.”
Hay had sentence deferred to August 23 for reports.