A man who was caught with illegal pepper spray at a north-east hotel has been spared a prison sentence.
Paul Murray was found with the canister when police raided a family function at Turriff.
When interviewed by officers, the 24-year-old said he armed himself for protection, after he was the victim of an assault weeks earlier.
Murray, of 5B Hunter Place, Aberdeen, appeared at Peterhead Sheriff Court and admitted possession of a prohibited weapon on August 10 last year.
The construction worker also admitted a second charge of struggling violently with four police officers and repeatedly flailing his arms and legs.
Sheriff Alison Stirling ordered Murray to carry out 225 hours of unpaid work as part of a 12-month supervision requirement.
She said: “Obviously these are serious offences for which a custodial sentence would be justified.
“I’m imposing this order as a direct alternative to custody.”
Fiscal depute David Bernard said that police were called to the Royal Oak Hotel, at Turriff, at about 9.20pm.
“They had received information that someone at the hotel matching Mr Murray’s description was dealing drugs,” he said. “They traced the accused (Murray) and searched him.”
The court heard that no drugs were found, but a cannister marked “Nato Maximum Concentration Pepper Spray” was discovered in a pocket in Murray’s jeans.
He was taken to Fraserburgh Police Office and interviewed about the device.
He said he had it with him because “last time I went to Stonehaven I got a kicking from two boys”.
Asked if he intended to use it, he replied: “Aye, if I got a kicking I would, but I wouldn’t use it otherwise.”
His agent, Iain Hingston, said the canister was given to Murray by a friend.
“He had intended to dispose of it,” he said.
“He wasn’t aware of the illegality of such items.”
Mr Hingston said the police initially left the hotel after finding the canister, but returned 90 minutes later and detained Murray.
By that time, he had consumed a “considerable quantity” of alcohol, and he struggled with the officers when they arrived at the hotel.
“This is no excuse for his behaviour however,” said Mr Hingston.