Drunken passenger admits charge of threatening and abusive behaviour aboard the CalMac ferry service

A 34-year-old father was on a ferry journey to the Western Isles to spend a holiday on Lewis but failed to complete his trip.

Inverness Sheriff Court was told that Kevin Finlayson of Carnarc Crescent, Inverness was arrested after the ship docked and taken into custody.

The court heard that he was drunk when he boarded and began abusing his wife after the vessel sailed on July 9.

Fiscal depute Martina Eastwood told Sheriff Margaret Neilson that Finlayson's behaviour was drawn to the attention of a crew member.

"He was told that Finlayson was terrorising his wife by being verbally abusive. He was agitated and clenching his fists.

"He then shouted at a passenger who saw what was going on, threatening to smash his face in."

Finlayson was arrested by police in Stornoway and returned to Inverness for his court appearance from custody on Friday morning.

Defence solicitor John MacColl said his client, who admitted threatening and abusive behaviour, had previous convictions for similar offences.

"The court has a stark choice between jail or a community payback order. But he is on one at the moment and has breached it. A criminal justice social work report will be necessary as a result."

Sentence was deferred until August 6 and Finlayson was released on bail.

Click here to read more court news

.