Inverness man threatened lives of bar staff

A 53-year-old Inverness man who scared neighbours and bar customers three times in drunken tirades between July, 11 2022 and January 19, 2023.

But Inverness Sheriff Court was told that Hector MacLean, of Crown Street, realised he had to take action about his problem after the January incident and he sought help.

It was that which kept MacLean out of jail at Inverness Sheriff Court, where he admitted the offences of threatening or abusive behaviour.

Sheriff Gary Aitken was told by defence solicitor Willie Young that his client had abstained apart from one relapse since but there were no other matters outstanding.

Ordering MacLean to do 150 hours of unpaid work and remain under social work supervision for a year to support him, the sheriff told him: “If you weren’t addressing your issues yourself by engaging with services, you would be going to jail for this string of drunken behaviour.”

Fiscal depute Adele Gray told the court that the July incident was outside his home where he was shouting and swearing at neighbours at 8am and again a little later.

Then on December 27, he abused a Morrisons delivery man, shouting and swearing and directing derogatory remarks at him and the English, and comparing the victim to Boris Johnson. MacLean then grabbed the driver and hit him around the back of the head, Ms Gray said.

The court was told the third incident was in Gunsmiths Bar during the afternoon when he began shouting abuse at bar staff, challenged them to fight and when he was put outside “he threatened to come back and kill them,” Ms Gray went on.

MacLean admitted threatening behaviour and hitting the delivery driver.

Mr Young said: “He is genuinely embarrassed and ashamed of his behaviour. After January, he took steps to address his difficulties with alcohol and has been engaging with counselling services.”