A sheriff has warned a man that he can’t threaten to shoot his neighbours – “however annoying” they are.
Wesley MacDonald had been drinking in his garden on Inchbrae Drive, Aberdeen, where a row broke out between him and his neighbours.
And things quickly escalated when the 45-year-old began claiming he had a gun and would “shoot” them.
Fiscal depute Georgia Laird told Aberdeen Sheriff Court the incident happened around 10.30pm on August 13 last year.
She said there had been claims that MacDonald’s behaviour was “rude and unacceptable”.
‘I’m going to shoot you all’
MacDonald began shouting, swearing and shaking the fence between the properties.
The court heard he became “aggressive” when efforts were made to try to calm him down.
He was then heard to say: “I’ve got a firearm and I’m not afraid to use it”.
MacDonald repeatedly told one of the witnesses to “get to f***” and added: “I’ve got a gun. I’ll get my gun and I’m going to shoot you all”.
Unsure whether he was serious, the witness retreated indoors.
MacDonald then went into a van and “three loud bangs” were heard, followed by him shouting: “That’s just for starters.”
Ms Laird said the comment was not aimed at anyone in particular and the source of the bangs was never discovered.
‘You can’t threaten them with a firearm and violence’
MacDonald, who has since moved to a new address, pled guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.
Defence agent Laura Gracie said her client – a self-employed joiner – had experienced “difficulties” with his neighbours.
She said he had been drinking with his wife in the garden on the anniversary of their grandchild’s death.
Ms Gracie said MacDonald has no memory of the incident because he had been drinking alcohol.
Sheriff Margaret Hodge warned MacDonald: “However annoying your neighbours are, you can’t threaten them with a firearm and violence”.
She fined MacDonald, of East Park Road in Kintore, £340.
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