A Nairn man tried to stab his friend in the neck with a plastic fork during a drunken brawl in Perth.
Robert Crawford lashed out with the disposal cutlery while eating a Chinese takeaway on a city centre street corner.
He repeatedly thrust the fork into Brett Fergusson’s neck until it snapped.
Perth Sheriff Court heard his victim was left with only a few scratches.
Crawford, of Shore Street, Nairn, was not in court when his case called on Friday.
He pled guilty by letter to assaulting Mr Fergusson at Kinnoull Causeway on July 4, last year.
Offensive weapon
The charge states he seized Mr Fergusson by the body and repeatedly struck him on the neck with the fork to his injury.
The 38-year-old also admitted having the plastic fork – an offensive weapon, according to prosecutors – in a public place.
Not guilty pleas to allegations that he also behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting and swearing at police officers were accepted by the Crown.
Fiscal depute Nicole Lewis told the court: “The accused was out with friends on this day.
“They had all been drinking.”
She said: “The group of friends went to get a Chinese takeaway.
“They picked up their food and the plastic cutlery.
“Afterwards, the accused became hostile.
“He jabbed the complainer in the neck several times, causing it to break.”
Ms Lewis said: “The complainer, who suffered superficial scratches, contacted the police.”
When caution and charged, Crawford told officers: “Yeah, go for it.”
Sheriff Mark O’Hanlon fined Crawford £500.
