Bizarre bus shelter incident in Moray ends in court

A man who tried to drunkenly make off with a bus passenger's bag has been ordered to perform unpaid work for the community.

Elgin Sheriff Court heard that two women had been stood waiting at a bus shelter on Forres High Street on October 19.

They were then approached by Robert Foley who began staring at one of them.

This, the court was told, had made her feel "uneasy".

Karen Poke, the procurator fiscal, stated that the 65-year-old had then picked up her bag.

At first the woman thought that that Foley was "playing a prank".

But when asked to give it back, he replied "no" and continued to stare at her.

Ms Poke said that Foley then started to walk off.

A "tug of war" began, but the two women were eventually able to prise the bag back off him.

Foley pleaded guilty to one charge to acting in a manner that would cause a reasonable person distress.

Ian Maltman, his solicitor, said his client had been drunk at the time and had no memory of the offence.

The lawyer added: "He's very apologetic. He realises it can't have been pleasant for the complainer."

Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov ordered Foley, of High Street, Forres, to carry out 135 hours of unpaid work for the community.