Punches thrown at station controller who tried to move on inebriated man
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A STATION controller with ScotRail had to avoid being punched after ushering a 20-year-old man out of the concourse at Inverness.
Inverness Sheriff Court was told that Stephen Dick, of Montague Row, was so inebriated he would not have been capable of punching anyone after he was seen slumped on a bench holding a bottle of alcohol on June 14 this year.
Fiscal depute David Morton said that it was decided he was too drunk to be in Inverness Railway Station and the controller was asked to deal with him.
“But Dick took exception to being asked to leave and shouted and swore at the member of staff,” he said. “He then attempted to assault him by making various lunging movements towards him but such was his state of intoxication, none of the punches landed.
“Ultimately he went on his way.”
Dick admitted assault and threatening or abusive behaviour.
Defence solicitor Marc Dickson said: “His difficulties are alcohol-related and he has been diagnosed with personality disorders. He can’t recall anything about this.
“It is a lasting legacy of a dreadful upbringing. Social workers say he is a pleasure to work with. When under stress or anxious, he uses alcohol as a coping mechanism. He is on an order now and definitely benefits and responds to professional help.”
Sheriff Gary Aitken sentenced him to 80 hours of unpaid work and placed him under two years of social work supervision.
