Inverness friends land in dock after getting into a drunken brawl

Two friends landed in the dock after getting into a drunken brawl with each other — and neither of them remember why it started.

Arron Matheson (26) and Reece Gordon (25) ended up in the altercation at the Glenalbyn Bar in Inverness on July 9, 2023.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard how Gordon had snapped the top off a pool cue and brandished it towards Matheson.

Fiscal depute Adelle Gray told Sheriff Gary Aitken that the pair had been in good spirits, drinking with each other before the argument broke out.

Ms Gray said: “Gordon lunged at Matheson, and he was pushed into the bar and the pushing continued.

“They were wrestling each other towards the pool table and ended up on the floor.

“Gordon was on top of Matheson, and Gordon was then pulled off by a witness.

“They continued to fight. Gordon picked up a pool cue, snapped the end off and branded it to use as a weapon.

“Matheson pulled it and threw it away.

“They continued to grapple and the police were contacted.”

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Both accused - Matheson, of Firthview Drive, Inverness, and Gordon, of the city’s Waterloo Place - pleaded guilty to threatening and abusive behaviour.

Sheriff Aitken fined Matheson a total of £395 and Gordon a total of £320.

He told them: “Both of you should know better. There is no excuse for this nor is it ideal to find yourself in court.”

Matheson’s defence solicitor Samantha Morrison said: “He has accepted responsibility and admitted what he did is out of character.”

Gordon’s defence solicitor Patrick O’Dea said: “He was intoxicated and has apologised to the other accused for his behaviour. He does not know why it occurred.”