A Perthshire man who threatened to run a sword through police officers after he was accused of drink-driving has been ordered to do community service.
Tayside Police were called to Gregor Marnoch’s home in Station Road, Birnam, on June 9 last year after a member of the public became suspicious that he had been under the influence when behind the wheel.
When approached, the drunk 37-year-old became “agitated and unco-operative” and began to make a series of chilling threats towards the officers.
He was eventually arrested and taken to police headquarters in Perth where he committed a further offence by refusing to give a breath test.
Perth Sheriff Court heard Marnoch accepted he had “probably been over the legal limit” when he was driving, but was upset at the thought of being breathalysed as he had continued drinking in his home.
Solicitor David Holmes said his client had been taking steps to address an ongoing problem with alcohol.
“Unlike some who appear at court, he has no wish to hide his problems,” the agent said. “Despite his difficulties, Mr Marnoch has always been a hard worker and has been successful as a landscape gardener.
“There have been two periods when he has lapsed into alcohol use when he has been feeling very low, but he has been attempting to stay free of alcohol.
“He tells me that it has now been a month since his last drink.”
Marnoch admitted that on June 9 last year, at his home, he made threats to police officers, said he knew where one of them lived and that he would get him and also that he would put a sword through all of the officers present.
He had already been sentenced to community service and disqualified from driving in connection with his refusal to give a specimen of breath.
Marnoch’s criminal record details previous convictions for breach of the peace, malicious mischief, drink driving and assault and, in 2009, he caused more than £1000 worth of damage to his father’s car after attacking it with an axe following an argument.
On that occasion he was ordered to carry out community service and was placed on probation with a condition that he seek alcohol counselling and treatment.
After hearing Marnoch had since been of good behaviour, Sheriff Robert McCreadie decided to bring matters to a close and ordered him to complete 80 hours of unpaid work.
“You know as well as I do that drink continues to be a problem for you,” he said. “In the past you have used alcohol to solve your problems. That will get you nowhere.”