A Speyside man was spared jail yesterday after he admitted drunkenly brandishing a knife at his childhood pal.
Leslie Geddes, of 12 Spey Street, Rothes, was drinking with a group of close friends in the town on May 24 last year when he was asked to leave following a disagreement.
Elgin Sheriff Court heard the 39-year-old took exception to his dismissal and, following a series of online messages, returned to the home of his friend – Douglas Wilson – the following night at around 11pm to “sort things out”.
The situation escalated into a fight and police were called when Geddes pulled a knife on Mr Wilson.
Fiscal depute Ruairidh McAlistair told the court: “At roughly 11pm that night, he knocked on the door of 86 Provost Christie Drive.
“The door was answered and the accused was told it wasn’t a good idea for him to be there, and he should go home.
“In an attempt to get the accused to leave, the complainer pushed him. The accused then punched the complainer and a fight broke out.
“The two were separated and the accused pulled a knife out from under his clothing and started waving it at those present.
“One of the witnesses called 999, and the police arrived. The accused then discarded the knife and left the house whilst the police were making inquiries and did not return.”
Defence counsel Stephen Carty told sheriff James Hendry: “Alcohol is certainly the factor here”.
He added: “He was going to sort things out and, in his drunken state, decided to take a knife with him.
“He realises in the cold light of day that was a ridiculous thing to have done.”
Sheriff Hendry said: “There are two significant matters here — an alcohol issue and there is string of previous convictions.
“To arm yourself with a knife and return drunk to a place where you were thrown out is simply a recipe for disaster, which could have led to a far more serious problem.
“I will — with some reluctance in view to a prison sentence — impose a community payback order.”
Geddes was ordered to complete 160 hours of unpaid work within six months after he admitted being in possession of a knife and assaulting Mr Wilson.