An electrician claims he tried to start a late-night Blairgowrie street brawl because his son was racially abused by local club-goers.
William Miller, 44, was fined £1,000 after becoming involved in a street stand-off with residents when they abused his son, who has an English accent.
Depute Fiscal Stuart Richardson told the court that the incident happened at 2am on Sunday, around the time that the local nightclub closes its doors.
He stated police officers came across two separate groups standing in the street, one of whom comprised Miller, his son and a friend while the other was composed of local males.
Police told the groups to disperse and go home, however, officers saw Miller run towards the opposite group, shouting and swearing and challenging them to a fight.
Miller was so enraged that when he was challenged by officers, CS spray had to be used to subdue him.
Solicitor David Holmes said Mr Miller now resides in England and was working on a contract in Scotland.
He stated his client was facing a much larger group and was trying to protect his son from an attack.
Sheriff Lindsay Foulis said: “I am prepared to accept that initially there may well have been more than an element of provocation from another group which no doubt contained some mindless idiots who decided to make derogatory remarks to those who do not hail from the locality.”
However, he told Miller he would have to give him a significant monetary penalty due to the fact he struggled with police officers in circumstances he had “significant form for”.
Miller, of Moulton, Spalding, Lincolnshire, admitted that on March 1 at William Street, Blairgowrie, he conducted himself in a disorderly manner, repeatedly shouted and swore, ran towards a group of people, and challenged others to fight.
He also admitted refusing to desist and struggling with police officers and committing a breach of the peace.