Moray Courts: Driver 'deeply regrets' drunken rant, assault, and throwing underpants at police

A drunk motorist who punched a bus driver in the face more than three years ago has been ordered to pay compensation.

Elgin Sheriff Court heard that the incident happened near Rothes at about 6am on October 7, 2022.

The bus driver had been flagged down in the dark by a lorry driver who pointed out a stationary car.

On speaking to James Lee, who was sat behind the wheel of the car, they formed the impression that he was drunk and contacted the police.

The bus driver then reached into the Lee’s vehicle and took the keys out the ignition.

The 50-year-old defendant reacted by getting out and hitting him on the nose.

When a policewoman arrived on the scene, Lee called her a “fat ugly lesbian” and a “thick ******* lesbian”.

In addition, he called the witnesses a “pair of homos”.

Lee, an electrician by trade, was escorted to Elgin police station where he refused to take a breath test.

It was stated in court that he was required to remove his clothes at the station, either because he was being searched or detained.

As he took off his underpants Lee “threw them with force” at one of the policeman.

He then squared up to the officers and called them “thick Scottish ***** “.

Lee used to live in Fochabers but moved away from Moray after the incident and failed to attend a scheduled court hearing back in August 2023.

This week he appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court from custody, having been arrested three days earlier at his new address in the Devon town of Exmouth.

Defence solicitor Robert Cruickshank stated that his client had been drunk at the time of the offence and now “deeply regretted his very disagreeable behaviour”.

Lee was disqualified from driving for three years by Sheriff Janys Scott.

In addition he was fined £1575 and ordered to pay the bus driver £500 in compensation.