An Aberdeen man has been fined after he sent a threatening WhatsApp message to his neighbour, telling him “snitches get stitches”.
Andrew Turner, 35, appeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted sending the ominous social media message, where he informed his victim he’d be attacked that very evening.
During the text, Turner called the man “a grass” and warned him he would punch his face in.
The dad-of-two’s solicitor told the court that Turner was angry that his neighbour had reported a friend to the police – but now “apologises” for his behaviour.
It was stated that the two men live in the same block of flats.
Men had ‘acrimonious’ relationship
Fiscal depute Lewis Devoy told the court that, prior to this incident, Turner and his neighbour had had a “somewhat acrimonious” relationship.
On August 11 this year, Turner sent a WhatsApp message to the man which read: “Looking forward to seeing you tonight to punch your face in. I’ve had enough you f**king grass. Snitches get stitches. See you soon p***k.”
The neighbour then attended Nigg Police Station in Aberdeen and reported the message.
Turner was arrested by police later that day and taken to Kittybrewster Police Office where he admitted the offence during an interview.
He pleaded guilty to one charge of sending a grossly offensive, obscene or menacing electronic communication and making threats on WhatsApp.
‘It was a really tense relationship’
Defence agent Christopher Maitland told the court that Turner was annoyed with his neighbour for reporting his friend to the police over a separate matter.
“He knows there is no excuse, but the complainer and his friend had had an issue from years ago,” he said.
“It was a really tense relationship but he accepted full responsibility at the first opportunity and apologises for his behaviour.”
Sheriff Andrew Miller told Turner that he “can’t send messages of this nature”.
“It’s not surprising that it would be perceived as threatening,” he said.
“And it’s also a matter of concern that it happened because someone had reported your friend to the police.”
Sheriff Miller fined Turner, of Morrison Drive, Aberdeen, a total of £210.
For all the latest court cases in Aberdeen as well as crime and breaking incidents, join our Facebook group.
