Inverness man makes ‘snap your neck’ threat to Scotmid shopkeeper
A man threatened to snap an Inverness shopkeeper’s neck because he was calling the police following an incident at his premises.
Brian Newlands (23) grabbed the worker at his local Scotmid store in Mackintosh Road on June 28, 2024 after he and his companions had been asked to leave.
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Fiscal depute Victoria Silver told Inverness Sheriff Court that Newlands had arrived at the shop with another male and two females at about 8.30pm.
Ms Silver said: “The shopkeeper asked them all to leave and said he was phoning the police. He stepped outside as they all walked out when Newlands walked back in angrily and seized him by the wrists to stop him making the call.”
The court was told Newlands said: “I’m now going to need to snap your neck.”
Ms Silver added: “The member of staff said to him: 'I am only doing my job.'"
Defence solicitor Samantha Morrison said: “His dad had died a few days prior and he was drinking heavily but admits this is no excuse.
“He is very remorseful for his actions and regrets what he did."
Sheriff Gary Aitken told Newlands: “Regardless of what is going on in your life, alcohol is not going to make it better."
Newlands, of Mackintosh Road, pleaded guilty to threatening and abusive behaviour towards a retail worker. He was fined a total of £640.
