A Banff man has pleaded guilty to swinging a machete and hurling racist abuse at police officers.
Richard Stuart, 23, appeared at Peterhead Sheriff Court yesterday to lodge his plea.
The court heard that Stuart, whose address was given as 35 Doune Crescent, Banff, had threatened officers with the weapon and had twice swung it towards constables at the first-floor flat.
However, his defence agent Lynn Bentley claimed that while her client held the blade, he made no movement towards the officers to directly endanger their lives.
“The threats were verbal,” she said.
Fiscal Depute David Bernard told Sheriff Andrew Miller that Stuart had been under the influence of alcohol during the stand-off with police and had continued to consume vodka while in their presence.
Stuart had also believed that his partner – with whom he has a son – had been having an affair.
“This had been playing on his mind for some time and had come to a head now due to him consuming alcohol and thinking about it,” Mr Bernard said.
His actions were only stopped when he released the machete to roll a cigarette, the court heard.
Mr Bernard said: “When finding it difficult to roll the cigarette he leaned the machete against the wall. A further police officer had joined with colleagues at this point and the officers took this opportunity, while the accused was focusing on the cigarette, to restrain him.”
He shouted derogatory and racist remarks at the officers while restrained.
Police only attended the scene after Stuart’s mother – who had been contacted by Stuart’s partner – called for an ambulance.
During the call, references to the blade were mentioned which prompted officers to follow.
His girlfriend found him in the living room with the machete after returning from putting her son to bed.
Stuart will be sentenced on March 26.
