A former soldier’s return to the military is hanging in the balance after he admitted shouting racist and homophobic abuse on a night out in Aberdeen.
Martin Reid, 29, was not present at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday, but had previously admitted charges of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner and assault.
He had been attending his father’s 50th birthday celebrations at Siberia Vodka Bar on Belmont Street on Saturday, November 16, last year but fell asleep around 11.50pm.
When approached by security staff, he began to shout homophobic and racist slurs.
Police were called as Reid continued to struggle and throw punches.
Fiscal depute Lynne McVicar said: “The accused then spat at Constable Craig Fletcher while he was loaded into the back of a police van.
“During the trip to Kittybrewster police station he uttered ‘wait til I cut your face’ and ‘I’m going to snap you’.”
Defence agent Ian Higston said: “He had gone spectacularly off the rails through a combination of alcohol and medication.
“He is a former soldier and suffers from PTSD, and that was what the medication was in relation to.
“He wishes to enlist in the Army. I understand he would be welcomed and they are waiting on the outcome of this case to decide what to do with him next ”
Sheriff Graham Buchanan called the incident “disgraceful” and “unpleasant” and fined Reid £1,500.
