Courts in Moray: Elgin man got into dispute that 'had absolutely nothing to do with him'
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A man who drunkenly got into a dispute outside an Elgin bar has been ordered to stay at home at night.
Colin Ross has been placed under a curfew for the next six months after he got "involved in a situation that had absolutely nothing to do with him".
Elgin Sheriff Court heard that a police van was parked in City Arms Close, Elgin, when three men were seen coming out of a bar at 1.45am on November 5.
The three were described as "argumentative and aggressive", therefore officers called for back-up.
At this point Ross decided to intervene.
Procurator fiscal Karen Poke said: "The accused began to shout and swear at one of the three men, condemning their attitude towards the police."
The accused heard that Ross then grabbed hold of the man's arm.
However, when officers told Ross to walk away, he then turned and began to shout and swear at them.
The court was told that the 53-year-old was taken to the ground after he began to struggle.
The officers managed to get a pair of handcuffs on him, however Ross kicked out and caught one of them in the face.
A search later revealed that he had about £10 of cannabis upon him.
He was released from the police station cells after he sobered up.
Defence solicitor Stephen Carty said: "He felt at the time that he was being fobbed off by the police.
"He now realises that he was actually making the situation more difficult for the officers.
"He can only apologise to the officers for the way he conducted himself on this occasion."
Ross admitted charges of assault, acting in a threatening manner and possession of a class-B drug.
He was ordered to stay inside his home on Larch Court, Elgin, from 9pm-6am for the next six months.
Ross was also fined £200 and told to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work for the community.
In addition, he was placed under the court's supervision for the next year.
